The effects of a community-based exercise therapy programme for young people with cerebral palsy

The effects of a pragmatic community-based exercise therapy intervention on physical fitness, habitual physical activity, self-esteem and quality of life on adolescents and young adults with cerebral palsy: a pilot study

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ISRCTN

Registry ID

ISRCTN49706672

Enrollment

Registered

2012-04-18

Start date

2011-03-01

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2016-10-17

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Cerebral palsy Nervous System Diseases Cerebral palsy

Interventions

Participants will be randomized to either an exercise group or a control group. Those in the exercise group will be asked to complete an 18-week exercise programme taking place at their local leisur

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. Diagnosed with spastic cerebral palsy 2. Aged 16 - 25 years 3. Living in Lothian or Fife 4. Discharged from the paediatric service within the last 6 years 5. Able to ambulate with or without aids

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: 1. Participating or participated in a gym based exercise training program within the last 2 months 2. Receiving regular physiotherapy (more often than 1 session every 4 weeks) 3. Insufficient cognitive ability to give informed consent 4. Medical issues with participating in an exercise program 5. Received Orthopaedic surgery or Botox injections within the last 6 months

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
The change in Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) for dimensions D and E from baseline to 6, 12 and 18 weeks. The Gross Motor Function Measure was developed to assess children with cerebral palsy. It uses a 4-point scale to rate participants on their ability to complete a motor task.	—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
1. Body function & structures 1.1. Aerobic fitness based on a 10 m shuttle run/walk 1.2. Maximal isometric muscle strength 1.3. Range of motion at the ankle, knee, and hip. 2. Activity 2.1. Timed up and go (TUG) test - time for a participant to rise from a chair, walk 3 m, return to the chair and sit down again 2.2. Gait Profile Score (GPS) - determined from computerized three-dimensional movement analysis 3. Participation 3.1. Daily physical activity level 3.2. Quality of life, and function in activities of daily living 3.3. Functional Assessment Questionnaire (FAQ) 3.4. Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) Measures for the function & structures and activity components will be recorded during all four assessments (baseline and at 6, 12, 18 weeks) while outcomes for the participation component will only be measured twice (baseline and 12 weeks). A Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale will also be completed, but only at baseline and after completion of the training program. A small activity monitor (ActivPAL, PAL Technologies Limited, Glasgow, UK) attached to the front of the thigh will be used to assess the amount of physical activity the participants engage in over a 7-day period. The device will record the number of steps, sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit transitions and the time spent walking, standing, or sitting and lying. Quality of life for each participant will be measured using the Short Form 12, a self report survey. The third and forth outcome measures are a self-report survey (FAQ) and a scored patient interview (COPM) respectively, used to assess function during activities of daily living.	—

Measure

Time frame

1. Body function & structures 1.1. Aerobic fitness based on a 10 m shuttle run/walk 1.2. Maximal isometric muscle strength 1.3. Range of motion at the ankle, knee, and hip. 2. Activity 2.1. Timed up and go (TUG) test - time for a participant to rise from a chair, walk 3 m, return to the chair and sit down again 2.2. Gait Profile Score (GPS) - determined from computerized three-dimensional movement analysis 3. Participation 3.1. Daily physical activity level 3.2. Quality of life, and function in activities of daily living 3.3. Functional Assessment Questionnaire (FAQ) 3.4. Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) Measures for the function & structures and activity components will be recorded during all four assessments (baseline and at 6, 12, 18 weeks) while outcomes for the participation component will only be measured twice (baseline and 12 weeks). A Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale will also be completed, but only at baseline and after completion of the training program. A small activity monitor (ActivPAL, PAL Technologies Limited, Glasgow, UK) attached to the front of the thigh will be used to assess the amount of physical activity the participants engage in over a 7-day period. The device will record the number of steps, sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit transitions and the time spent walking, standing, or sitting and lying. Quality of life for each participant will be measured using the Short Form 12, a self report survey. The third and forth outcome measures are a self-report survey (FAQ) and a scored patient interview (COPM) respectively, used to assess function during activities of daily living.

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Countries

United Kingdom

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026