Cerebral Palsy, Children, Muscle Weakness
Conditions
Keywords
Cerebral palsy, Children, Functional strength measurement, Lower limbs, Reproducability
Brief summary
Specific musculo-tendinous adaptations in children with cerebral palsy (CP) have an influence on muscle strength and consequently on functional behavior and participation. Evidence of strength training programs has been shown on level of body function but transfer to levels of activity and participation is still limited. Lack of transfer is related to lack of specificity of the training and poor overall quality of the interventions (intensity, duration, frequency and/or type). The use of functional strength exercises to assess and train strength of the lower limbs in children with CP is well implemented in the most functional children with CP (GMFCS-level I). To assess isometric strength the hand held dynamometer (HHD) can be used in clinical settings but reliability of this tool is questionable. The aim of this study is to adapt existing functional strength tests for less functional children with CP (focussing on GMFCS level II and III) and to investigate the correlation with isometric strength measurements and other functional parameters.
Detailed description
Specific musculo-tendinous adaptations in children with cerebral palsy (CP) have an influence on muscle strength and consequently on functional behavior and participation. Evidence of strength training programs has been shown on level of body function but transfer to levels of activity and participation is still limited. Lack of transfer is related to lack of specificity of the training and poor overall quality of the interventions (intensity, duration, frequency and/or type). The use of functional strength exercises to assess and train strength of the lower limbs in children with CP is well implemented in the most functional children with CP (GMFCS-level I). The aim of this study is to adapt existing functional strength tests for less functional children with CP (focussing on GMFCS-level II and III) and to investigate the correlation with isometric strength measurements and other functional parameters.
Interventions
OTHERFunctional strength assessment
Functional strength exercises to assess strength in lower limbs.
Sponsors
University Ghent
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
6 Years to 18 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Bilateral spastic CP * GMFCS II-III * 6-18 Y * No botox until 4 months before testing * No orthopedic surgery until 1 Y before testing * Good cooperation
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Functional testing | 60 minutes | 30 seconds tests (nr/30 seconds): the children have to perform as much as trials as possible within 30 seconds; e.g. stand up and sit |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Isometric strength test | 60 minutes | Strength of the lower limbs (Nm) by means of a fixed hand held dynamometer |
| Core stability test | 30 minutes | 30 seconds tests (nr/3 30 seconds test (nr/30 seconds) |
| Gait capacity | 1 minute | 1 Minute Walking Test (m/1 minute) |
Countries
Belgium
Outcome results
None listed