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Effect of a Combined Stretching and Strength Training Program on Gait Function in Children with Cerebral Palsy, GMFCS Level I & II: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Background and objectives: Ambulant children with cerebral palsy (CP) often develop impaired gait, and reduced active knee extension is often a part of the problem. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a combined intervention program including stretching and progressive resistance exercise (PR...
Autores principales: | , , , |
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Formato: | Online Artículo Texto |
Lenguaje: | English |
Publicado: |
MDPI
2019
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Materias: | |
Acceso en línea: | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6630432/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31174397 http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/medicina55060250 |
Sumario: | Background and objectives: Ambulant children with cerebral palsy (CP) often develop impaired gait, and reduced active knee extension is often a part of the problem. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a combined intervention program including stretching and progressive resistance exercise (PRE) targeting active knee extension on gait function, in children with spastic CP. Materials and methods: Thirty-seven children (21 boys, 16 girls, mean age 10.2 (±2.3) years), classified by Gross Motor Function Classification System I–III, were randomized to an intervention (n = 17) and a comparison group (n = 20). The intervention group received a 16-week combined exercise program (3 sessions per week) including stretching of hamstrings and PRE targeting the lower extremities, followed by a 16-week maintenance program (1 session per week). The comparison group received care as usual. Gait function was evaluated by three-dimensional gait analysis (3DGA); knee, hip and pelvic kinematics in the sagittal plane, step length and speed, Gait Deviation Index (GDI), and Six-Minute Walk test (6MWT) at 0, 16, and 32 weeks. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the intervention group and the comparison group for any of the gait parameters measured at 16 and 32 weeks. There was a significant increase in gait distance measured by 6MWT within both groups; however, no differences between the groups were found. Conclusion: A 16-week combined stretching and PRE program followed by a 16-week maintenance program did not improve gait function in ambulant children with CP. |
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