Effectiveness of Functional Power Training on Walking Ability in Young Children With Cerebral Palsy: Study Protocol of a Double-Baseline Trial

Abstract

Twenty-two children with bi- or unilateral spastic cerebral palsy, Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I and II, aged 4 to 10 years will be recruited. A double-baseline design will be used to compare a 14-week functional power training (3 times a week) program with a 14-week usual care period and a 14-week follow-up period. The power exercises will be loaded and performed at 50% to 70% of the maximum unloaded speed. Load will be increased when exercises are performed faster than 70% of the unloaded speed. Primary outcomes will be sprinting capacity (15-m Muscle Power Sprint Test) and goal attainment scaling score of walking-related treatment goals. Secondary outcomes will be walking speed (1-min walk test), endurance (10-m shuttle run test), gross motor function, lower-limb strength, and parent-reported mobility.

The efficacy of functional gait training in children and young adults with cerebral palsy: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Consequently 57 articles were selected for full‐text review. Of these, 41 articles were deemed to meet the inclusion/exclusion criteria; reasons for exclusion of 16 articles are noted in Figure . One study population was reported in two articles; to avoid duplicates, results were reported as Provost et al .…”

“…Consequently 57 articles were selected for full-text review. Of these, 41 articles were deemed to meet the inclusion/ exclusion criteria; 22, reasons for exclusion of 16 articles [71][72][73][74][75][76][77][78][79][80][81][82][83][84][85][86][87] are noted in Figure 1. One study population was reported in two articles; 62,63 to avoid duplicates, results were reported as Provost et al 63 A summary of all the studies' characteristics is given in Table II.…”

Improved Walking Capacity and Muscle Strength After Functional Power-Training in Young Children With Cerebral Palsy

“…This functional power-training consists of loaded functional exercises, such as walking, running, and climbing stairs, performed at high movement velocities. 17…”

Defining Functional Therapy in Research Involving Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review

“…Several different types of intervention approaches were referred to by authors as functional therapy. For example home-based or modified constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) involving functional training of the involved hand (Chen et al, 2013;de Brito Brandao, Mancini, Vaz, Pereira de Melo, & Fonseca, 2010;Gordon et al, 2011;Chen et al, 2014;Xu, He, Mai, Yan, & Chen, 2015), goal-directed functional therapy (GDT) (Ahl et al, 2005;Lowing, Bexelius, & Brogren Carlberg, 2009;Lowing, Bexelius, & Carlberg, 2010;Storvold & Jahnsen, 2010), and functional (physical) training program (Akbari, Javad Zadeh, Shahraki, & Jahanshahi Javaran, 2009;Blundell, Shepherd, Dean, Adams, & Cahill, 2003;Ferre et al, 2017;Gorter, Holty, Rameckers, Elvers, & Oostendorp, 2009;Ketelaar et al, 2001;Kusumoto, Nitta, & Takaki, 2016;Lee, Ko, Shin, & Lee, 2015;Liao, Liu, Liu, & Lin, 2007;Moura et al, 2017;Peungsuwan, Parasin, Siritaratiwat, Prasertnu, & Yamauchi, 2017;Rameckers, Duysens, Speth, Vles, & Smits-Engelsman, 2010;Rameckers, Speth, Duysens, Vles, & Smits-Engelsman, 2009;Scholtes et al, 2010;van Vulpen, de Groot, Rameckers, Becher, & Dallmeijer, 2017).…”

“…According to the Surveillance of Cerebral Palsy in Europe (SCPE) terminology, eleven studies included only children with unilateral CP (Chen et al, 2013;de Brito Brandao et al, 2010;Ferre et al, 2017;Gordon et al, 2011;Chen et al, 2014;Moura et al, 2017;Rameckers et al, 2009;Sung et al, 2005;Xu et al, 2015). Eight studies included both unilateral and bilateral CP (Akbari et al, 2009;Ketelaar et al, 2001;Lowing et al, 2009;Peungsuwan et al, 2017;Scholtes et al, 2010;Storvold & Jahnsen, 2010;van Vulpen et al, 2017). Five studies included children with bilateral CP (Ahl et al, 2005;Blundell et al, 2003;Kusumoto et al, 2016;Liao et al, 2007;Lin et al, 2015).…”