The effect of multisensory stimulation on exercise related pain and anxiety in children with cerebral palsy: A randomized controlled study

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of multisensory stimulation on pain and anxiety before and after exercise in children aged 4-10 years with cerebral palsy (CP). Method: This randomized controlled study was conducted between July and September 2025 at a special education center. Eighty children with CP aged 4-10 years were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 40) or a control group (n = 40). Children in the intervention group received multisensory stimulation using Happy Senso Therapy foam during routine exercise sessions, while the control group received routine exercise only. Pain and anxiety levels were assessed before and after exercise using the Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale and the Children's Anxiety Scale. Data were analyzed using t-tests, repeated measures mixed-design ANOVA, and regression analysis. Results: Mean pain and anxiety scores in the intervention group significantly decreased after the intervention (p < 0.05). Mixed-design ANOVA demonstrated a significant group x time interaction for both pain and anxiety, indicating greater reductions in the intervention group compared with the control group. Regression analysis showed that multisensory stimulation accounted for 36.6 % of the reduction in pain levels and 11.0 % of the reduction in anxiety levels. Conclusion: Multisensory stimulation was an effective nonpharmacological method for reducing exercise-related pain and anxiety in children with CP. Implications for clinical practice: Multisensory stimulation can be integrated into routine exercise as a simple, safe, and holistic nursing intervention to support pain and anxiety management in children with cerebral palsy.