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Study aim
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To compare the effects of tapping and brushing therapy on ankle dorsiflexion range of motion, reduction of calf muscles spasticity and improvement of walking pattern in hemiparetic spastic cerebral palsy.
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Design
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Randomized Clinical Trial, Single Blind
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Settings and conduct
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The current study will be including centers of Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan. Allied Hospital, Nusrat Abdul Rauf Center for Enablement and Syeda Khatoon-e-Jannat Special Education Centre.
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Participants/Inclusion and exclusion criteria
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Inclusion criteria: Both genders within ranges of 4-12 years, able to walk with or without assistance, sensations were preserved, diagnosed patients, MAS grading ≤ 3, able to follow instructions completely. Exclusion criteria: Uncontrollable attacks epilepsy, take botulinum toxin from the previous 3 months, any other neurological conditions, any orthopedic surgery during last 12 months, on affected side.
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Intervention groups
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Group A will receive baseline intervention (NMES for 20 minutes with frequency of 50 Hz, width about 250 micro-seconds, ramp on 5 seconds for stimulation and ramp off 10 seconds for rest with intensity 04 to 20 mA varying from patient to patient and routine physical therapy including passive ROM, stretching exercises, strengthening exercises etc) in combination with 10 minutes tapping therapy: Quick tapping will be applied by distal phalanges of hand region, on the fibrous part of the affected muscle. 3-5 times and take a break in each set of tapping. Group B will also receive baseline intervention (NMES and routine physical therapy same as Group A) in combination with 10 minutes brushing therapy: A gentle toothbrush will be used, moved from distal to proximal on the tibial surface of leg, with a break of 10 seconds on a continuous repeated stroke of brush.
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Main outcome variables
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Ankle dorsiflexion range of motion, Calf muscle spasticity, Walking pattern.