Breathing Exercises for Cerebral Palsy

Did you know that pulmonary dysfunction is the leading cause of death in people with cerebral palsy? Pediatric therapists, especially Physical Therapists, often work with children to work on their pulmonary function and provide breathing exercises for cerebral palsy. Physical Therapy recently published research on this topic.

The purpose of the study on breathing exercises for cerebral palsy was to evaluate the effects of physical therapy on pulmonary function and respiratory muscle strength in children with cerebral palsy.

Methodology

The systemic review was completed by searching 10 databases and included all studies assessing the effect of physical therapy on the respiratory system in children with CP were included. Two reviewers independently extracted and documented data to describe the intervention (duration, therapeutic method) and study results (change of spirometric parameters, respiratory muscle strength).

Ten studies included 269 children (ages 5-18 years old) that consisted of 5 different therapeutic methods: inspiratory muscle training, aerobic training, swimming, respiratory exercise, exercise with elastic bands.

Results of the Study on Breathing Exercises for Cerebral Palsy

Data analysis on the effects of physical therapy treatment was calculated using software. The following was discovered:

◆ Physical therapist intervention led to a significant increase in the maximal expiratory pressure, peak expiratory flow, and maximum oxygen consumption.

◆ the most frequently used therapy was inspiratory muscle training which showed a positive effect on maximal expiratory pressure and maximal inspiratory pressure.

Conclusions

The researchers concluded that various forms of physical therapy have potential to demonstrate a positive effect on maximal inspiratory pressure, maximal expiratory pressure, and peak expiratory flow in children with cerebral palsy. There was no recommendations regarding the best method and duration of the physical therapy.

The researchers did suggest that physical therapy should be applied for at least 4 weeks and include inspiratory muscle training.

Read more about research on breathing in children with cerebral palsy here.

Reference:

Rutka, M., Adamczyk, W. M., & Linek, P. (2021). Effects of Physical Therapist Intervention on the Pulmonary Function in Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Physical Therapy.