Effectiveness of Loaded Sit-to-Stand Resistance Exercise for Children With Mild Spastic Diplegia: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Abstract
Liao H-F, Liu Y-C, Liu W-Y, Lin Y-T. Effectiveness of loaded sit-to-stand resistance exercise for children with mild spastic diplegia: a randomized clinical trial.
Objective
To investigate effectiveness of a functional strengthening program, the loaded sit-to-stand (STS) resistance exercise, for children with cerebral palsy (CP).
Design
A single-blind, randomized block design.
Setting
STS exercises were carried out at the children’s homes.
Participants
Twenty children (12 boys, 8 girls; age range, 5−12y) with spastic diplegia CP and classified by the Gross Motor Function Classification System as level I or II were stratified by their severity and age and randomly allocated into either the experimental or control group.
Intervention
Both groups received their regular physical therapy. The experimental group underwent loaded STS exercise 3 times a week for 6 weeks.
Main Outcome Measures
Goal dimension scores of the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM), gait speed, 1 repetition maximum (1-RM) of the loaded STS, isometric strength of knee extensor, and Physiological Cost Index (PCI). The outcome measures were conducted at the beginning and end of the 6-week study.
Results
After loaded STS exercise, the experimental group showed statistically significant differences in GMFM goal dimension scores, 1-RM STS, and PCI from the control group. The changes in gait speed and isometric strength of the knee extensor did not differ significantly between the 2 groups.
Conclusions
After the loaded STS exercise, children with mild spastic diplegia improved their basic motor abilities, functional muscle strength, and walking efficiency.
aSchool and Graduate Institute of Physical Therapy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
bChild Developmental Center, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Tse-Chi Hospital, Hua-Lien City, Taiwan
cDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan Branch, Taoyuan Hsien, Taiwan.
Reprint requests to Hua-Fang Liao, MPH, School and Graduate Institute of Physical Therapy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, No. 17, Xajhou Rd, Taipei City, Taiwan, ROC.
Supported by the National Science Council, Taiwan (grant no. NSC90-2314-B-002-315).
No commercial party having a direct financial interest in the results of the research supporting this article has or will confer a benefit upon the author(s) or upon any organization with which the author(s) is/are associated.
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