Functional strength training in cerebral palsy: a pilot study of a group circuit training class for children aged 4–8 years

Blundell, S W; Shepherd, Roberta B.; Dean, Catherine M.; Adams, Roger; Cahill, Babs M.

doi:10.1191/0269215503cr584oa

Cited by 206 publications

(173 citation statements)

References 27 publications

(32 reference statements)

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“…Damiano and Abel (1998) addressed muscle weakness in a 6-week muscle-strengthening programme, achieving positive functional outcomes for an ambulatory population. Blundell et al (2003) developed an intensive training programme (twice a week for 4 weeks) for ambulatory children with CP, including repetitions of functional tasks with increasing difficulty. They found improved strength and functional performance that was maintained over time.…”

Section: Strength and Endurance Trainingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparison of efficacy of Adeli suit and neurodevelopmental treatments in children with cerebral palsy

Bar-Haim

Harries

Belokopytov

et al. 2006

Develop Med Child Neuro

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This study compared the efficacy of Adeli suit treatment (AST) with neurodevelopmental treatment (NDT) in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Twenty-four children with CP, Levels II to IV according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), were matched by age and functional status and randomly assigned to the AST or NDT treatment groups. In the AST group (n=12; eight males, four females; mean age 8.3y [SD 2.0]), six children had spastic/ataxic diplegia, one triplegia and five spastic/mixed quadriplegia. In the NDT group (n=12; nine males, three females; mean age 8.1y [SD 2.2]), five children had spastic diplegia and seven had spastic/mixed quadriplegia. Both groups were treated for 4 weeks (2 hours daily, 5 days per week, 20 sessions). To compare treatments, the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-66) and the mechanical efficiency index (EI HB ) during stair-climbing were measured at baseline, immediately after 1 month of treatment, and 10 months after baseline. The small but significant time effects for GMFM-66 and EI HB that were noted after 1 month of both intensive physiotherapy courses were greater than expected from natural maturation of children with CP at this age. Improvements in motor skills and their retention 9 months after treatment were not significantly different between the two treatment modes. Post hoc analysis indicated a greater increase in EI HB after 1 month (p=0.16) and 10 months (p=0.004) in AST than that in NDT, predominantly in the children with higher motor function (GMFCS Levels II and III). The results suggest that AST might improve mechanical efficiency without a corresponding gain in gross motor skills, especially in children with higher levels of motor function.

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Section: Strength and Endurance Trainingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparison of efficacy of Adeli suit and neurodevelopmental treatments in children with cerebral palsy

Bar-Haim

Harries

Belokopytov

et al. 2006

Develop Med Child Neuro

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“…A recent systematic review provided an overview of the measurement properties of WTs used within this field and concluded that the 6-min WT was the most extensively researched, best tolerated and most reflective of activities of daily living [2]. Despite the growing use of WTs as a useful outcome tool within areas of rehabilitation medicine [3][4][5][6], research regards their validity and reliability in children and adults with disability is just starting to appear within the literature. Three recent papers concluded high test-retest reliability of the 6-min protocol in adults [7] and children [8,9] with cerebral palsy (CP), although results conflicted with regards to the necessity of a practice walk.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Test–retest reliability of a 1-min walk test in children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy (BSCP)

McDowell¹,

Humphreys²,

Kerr³

et al. 2009

Gait & Posture

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“…Furthermore, they also provided evidence which indicated that muscle spasticity was not deteriorated as a result of strength training in adults with CP (Andersson et al, 2003). Blundell et al (2003) carried out a training program with children with CP that consisted of a physical circuit composed of tasks such as treadmill walking, step-ups, sit-to-stands and leg presses. This program was carried out for 4 weeks with a frequency of 2 sessions/week for 1 hour, what provoked significant improvements in strength and functional performance of children with CP (Blundell et al, 2003).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Blundell et al (2003) carried out a training program with children with CP that consisted of a physical circuit composed of tasks such as treadmill walking, step-ups, sit-to-stands and leg presses. This program was carried out for 4 weeks with a frequency of 2 sessions/week for 1 hour, what provoked significant improvements in strength and functional performance of children with CP (Blundell et al, 2003). An alternative method to improve muscle strength is the electrical stimulation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Quesada¹,

Lucas-Cuevas²,

Llana-Belloch³

et al. 2014

JPES

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Abstract:Regardless the advances in medical science, it seems that the prevalence of cerebral palsy (CP) has been increasing during the last forty years. Cerebral palsy is associated with muscle weakness and impaired circulation that leads to muscle spasticity and deficits in motor control, thereby limiting the individual's ability to perform not only leisure, social or occupational activities but also basic daily tasks. In this sense, exercise is gaining popularity as an intervention choice for this population. Literature aiming to improve the quality of life of patients suffering from cerebral pathologies such as cerebral palsy has observed that both strength and aerobic training lead to significant benefits that improve the quality of life of these patients via a reduction in dependency, muscular deficits and improved cardiorespiratory capacity.

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Functional strength training in cerebral palsy: a pilot study of a group circuit training class for children aged 4–8 years

Abstract: A short programme of task-specific strengthening exercise and training for children with cerebral palsy, run as a group circuit class, resulted in improved strength and functional performance that was maintained over time.

Cited by 206 publications

References 27 publications

Comparison of efficacy of Adeli suit and neurodevelopmental treatments in children with cerebral palsy

Comparison of efficacy of Adeli suit and neurodevelopmental treatments in children with cerebral palsy

Test–retest reliability of a 1-min walk test in children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy (BSCP)

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