Exercise Interventions for Children with Cerebral Palsy

Exercise Interventions for Children with Cerebral Palsy

Disability and Rehabilitation published a systemic review to determine the effectiveness of active exercise interventions for improving gross motor activity/participation of school-aged, ambulant/semi-ambulant children with cerebral palsy.

The systemic review included 34 studies with seven interventions that reported on gross motor function although a limited number studied participation outcomes.  The review indicated the following regarding exercise interventions for children with cerebral palsy:

• strong positive evidence was available for Gross Motor Activity Training and Gross Motor Activity Training with progressive resistance exercise plus additional physical therapy.
• moderate positive evidence exists for Gross Motor Activity Training plus additional physiotherapy and Physical Fitness Training.
• weak positive evidence was available for Modified Sport and Non-Immersive Virtual Reality.
• strong evidence against Gross Motor Activity Training plus progressive resistance exercise without additional physical therapy.

The researchers concluded that active, performance-focused exercise with variable practice opportunities improves gross motor function in ambulant/semi-ambulant children with cerebral palsy.  Additional research is recommended to measure participation outcomes.

Reference:  Clutterbuck, G., Auld, M., & Johnston, L. (2018). Active exercise interventions improve gross motor function of ambulant/semi-ambulant children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review. Disability and rehabilitation, 1-21.

Read more articles on gross motor skills and cerebral palsy here.

CHECK OUT THESE RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL PALSY:

Therapeutic Play Activities for Children digital download includes 100 play activity pages and 12 tip sheets. The play activities encourage the development of fine motor skills, bimanual skills, rolling, crawling, tall kneeling, standing balance and cruising with a strong focus on children with cerebral palsy.  FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION.

Read more on the Development of Hand Use and Unilateral Cerebral Palsy.

 

Teaching Motor Skills to Children with Cerebral Palsy and Similar Movement Disorders: The ELECTRONIC version of Teaching Motor Skills is a must-have reference for all therapists who work with children with cerebral palsy.   Whether you are a beginner or experienced therapist you will find the information concise, informative and very helpful to carry out everyday functional tasks including stretching with children with cerebral palsy. The book provides activity suggestions throughout the developmental sequence such as head control, tummy time, sitting, transitions, walking and beyond.  There is also great information that reviews additional interventions for children with cerebral palsy such as bracing, surgical and medical management.  The author, Sieglinde Martin, is an experienced PT and a mother of a child with cerebral palsy. FIND OUT MORE.