Effect of Backward Walking Versus Forward Walking Training on Balance Among Children with Cerebral Palsy

Background: Cerebral palsy is characterized by long-term impairments in movement and posture that limit an individual’s ability to perform daily activities. Effective rehabilitation methods, such as forward and backward walking training, can improve balance and functional mobility in children with cerebral palsy.Objective: To compare the effects of backward walking training versus forward walking training on balance in children with cerebral palsy.Methods: A randomized clinical trial was conducted with 20 children aged 7-14 years, recruited from Children’s Hospital and Jinnah Hospital, Lahore. Participants were randomly divided into two groups: Group A (Forward Walking Training) and Group B (Backward Walking Training). Each group underwent training three times per week for 40 minutes over four weeks. Balance and mobility were assessed using the Time-Up-and-Go (TUG) test, Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS), and Figure-8 Walk Test (FW8T). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25, with Mann-Whitney U test used for between-group comparisons.Results: The backward walking group showed significant improvements in TUG (p = 0.03), PBS (p = 0.01), and FW8T (p = 0.01) compared to the forward walking group.Conclusion: Backward walking training showed superior improvements in balance and functional mobility compared to forward walking training in children with cerebral palsy.