Article

Effective interventions to improve and maintain strength
(force-generating capacity) and endurance are needed for children with cerebral
palsy (CP). This study was performed to examine the effects of a
stationary cycling intervention on muscle strength, locomotor endurance,
preferred walking speed, and gross motor function in children with spastic diplegic CP. DESIGN: This was a phase I randomized controlled trial with single
blinding. SETTING: The interventions were performed in community-based outpatient
physical therapy clinics. Outcome assessments were performed in university
laboratories. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-two ambulatory children aged 7 to 18 years with
spastic diplegic CP and Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I to
III participated in this study. INTERVENTION AND MEASUREMENTS: Participants were
randomly assigned to cycling or control (no-intervention) groups. Thirty
intervention sessions occurred over 12 weeks. Primary outcomes were peak knee
extensor and flexor moments, the 600-Yard Walk-Run Test, the Thirty-Second Walk
Test, and the Gross Motor Function Measure sections D and E (GMFM-66). RESULTS:
Significant baseline-postintervention improvements were found for the 600-Yard
Walk-Run Test, the GMFM-66, peak knee extensor moments at 120 degrees /s, and
peak knee flexor moments at 30 degrees /s for the cycling group. Improved peak
knee flexor moments at 120 degrees/s were found for the control group only,
although not all participants could complete this speed of testing. Significant
differences between the cycling and control groups based on change scores were
not found for any outcomes. Limitations Heterogeneity of the patient population
and intrasubject variability were limitations of the study. CONCLUSIONS:
Significant improvements in locomotor endurance, gross motor function, and some
measures of strength were found for the cycling group but not the control group,
providing preliminary support for this intervention. As statistical differences
were not found in baseline-postintervention change scores between the 2 groups;
the results did not demonstrate that stationary cycling was more effective than
no intervention. The results of this phase I study provide guidance for future research.

Langue : ANGLAIS