Exercise Program for Non Ambulatory Children with CP

Clinical Rehabilitation published research on 35 children with a gross motor classification system levels IV-V who participated in a 6 week exercise program.  The subjects were randomly placed to participate in a stationary bike group, treadmill group or control group.

After the 6 week intervention significant differences were found in GMFM-88D scores between the bike group and the control group, and the treadmill group and the control group. No significant differences were found for GMFM-66 or GMFM-88E scores between the bike group and control group, or the treadmill group and control group, although improvements were noted for both exercise groups. No improvements were seen during the follow up period.

The researchers concluded that exercising on a bike or a treadmill may produce short term improvements in gross motor skills for children GMFCS Levels IV-V.

 Reference: Elizabeth Bryant, Terry Pountney, Heather Williams, and Natalie Edelman Can a six-week exercise intervention improve gross motor function for non-ambulant children with cerebral palsy? A pilot randomized controlled trial Clin Rehabil February 2013 27: 150-159, first published on July 30, 2012 doi:10.1177/0269215512453061