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Effectiveness of loaded sit-to-stand resistance exercise for children with mild spastic diplegia: a randomized
Hua-Fang Liao1, Ying-Chi Liu, Wen-Yu Liu
1School and Graduate Institute of Physical Therapy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan. hfliao@ntu.edu.tw
Insights
Loaded sit-to-stand (STS) exercise improved motor abilities and walking efficiency in children with mild cerebral palsy (CP). This functional strengthening program showed significant benefits for children with spastic diplegia CP.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric physical therapy
- Neuromuscular rehabilitation
- Biomechanical analysis of movement
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) affects motor function in children.
- Functional strengthening is crucial for improving mobility in children with CP.
- The loaded sit-to-stand (STS) exercise is a potential intervention for enhancing lower extremity function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a loaded STS resistance exercise program.
- To assess the impact of this intervention on children with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy.
- To determine improvements in motor function, muscle strength, and gait parameters.
Main Methods:
- Single-blind, randomized block design study.
- Twenty children (levels I-II GMFCS) with spastic diplegia CP participated.
- Experimental group performed loaded STS 3x/week for 6 weeks; control group received regular therapy.
Main Results:
- The experimental group showed significant improvements in Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) goal dimension scores.
- Statistically significant differences were observed in 1-repetition maximum (1-RM) STS and Physiological Cost Index (PCI).
- No significant differences were found in gait speed or isometric knee extensor strength between groups.
Conclusions:
- Loaded STS exercise is effective for improving basic motor abilities in children with mild spastic diplegia CP.
- The intervention enhanced functional muscle strength and walking efficiency.
- Home-based loaded STS exercise offers a viable rehabilitation strategy for this population.
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.
