Strength Training in Children With Cerebral Palsy

Cairo University (CU)

Status: Completed

Conditions: Cerebral Palsy

Treatments: Other: Physical Therapy

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04892576

RHPT/0018/0078

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study was set out to assess the effect of stretch-shortening (SSC) exercises on gait-symmetry and balance in children with unilateral cerebral palsy (UCP). Forty-two children with UCP were randomly allocated to the control group (n = 21, received standard physical rehabilitation) or the SSC group (n =21, received standard rehabilitation plus SSC exercises). Both groups were assessed for ait-symmetry and balance pre and post-treatment.

Full description

Forty-two children with UCP were recruited from the Physical Therapy Outpatient Clinic of Collee of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, King Khalid Hospital, and a tertiary referral hospital, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia. Their age ranged between 8 and 12 years, were functioning at levels I or II according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System, and had spasticity level 1 or 1+ per the Modified Ashworth Scale. Children were excluded if they had fixed deformities, underwent neuromuscular or orthopedic surgery in the last 12 months, submitted to BOTOX injection in the past 6 months, attentional neglect, cardiopulmonary problems preventing them from performing high-intense exercise training.

Outcome measures

1. Gait-symmetry Indices: Gait symmetry indices (Spatial and temporal) were measured through a 3D motion analysis system.
2. Balance capabilities: several aspects of balance including sensory organization, reactive balance, and rhythmic weight shift were tested through a Pro Balance Master system.

The control and SSC groups received a standard rehabilitation program for 45 minutes, twice a week for eight consecutive weeks. The program comprised advanced balance training, and gait training exercises, postural and flexibility exercises, strength training exercises. Additionally, the SSC group received an SSC exercise program for 30 minutes, twice/week for eight weeks per the National Strength and Conditioning Association guidelines and American Academy of Pediatrics safety standards. The SSC program consisted of ten unilateral and bilateral lower limb plyometrics in the form of hopping/bounding/jumping activities. The SSC training was preceded by a warm-up for 5 minutes and ended up with a 5-min cooldown.

Enrollment: 42 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 8 to 12 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Unilateral cerebral palsy
• age from 8 to 12 years
• motor function level I or II according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System
• Spasticity level 1 or 1+ according to the Modified Ashworth Scale

Exclusion criteria

• Structural deformities
• Musculoskeletal or neural surgery in the last year
• BOTOX injection in the last 6 months.
• cardiopulmonary disorders interfering with the ability to engage in exercise training
• hemispatial neglect

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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42 participants in 2 patient groups

Control group

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants in this group received the standard physical rehabilitation program.

Treatment:

Other: Physical Therapy

SSC group

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in this group received the standard physical rehabilitation program as the control group in addition to the SSC exercise program

Treatment:

Other: Physical Therapy