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The effect of a running intervention on running ability and participation in children with cerebral palsy: a
Noula Gibson1,2,3, Annie Chappell2,3, Amanda Marie Blackmore2
1a Princess Margaret Hospital for Children , Perth , Western Australia.
Insights
A 12-week running intervention improved running ability and school participation in children with cerebral palsy (CP). This program enhanced mobility skills and engagement for children with CP.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric rehabilitation
- Movement science
- Childhood disability research
Background:
- Children with cerebral palsy (CP) often exhibit impaired higher-level mobility skills, including running, despite being able to walk unaided.
- Running is a crucial motor skill that can be targeted for improvement in children with CP.
- Participation in school activities is vital for social and academic development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effects of a 12-week running intervention on running ability and participation in children with cerebral palsy (CP).
- To assess improvements in high-level mobility, aerobic/anaerobic fitness, and agility.
- To determine if a running intervention enhances participation in the school environment.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving children with CP (ages 9-18, Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I-III).
- Participants were assigned to a 12-week individualized running intervention or usual care.
- Primary outcomes included running ability (Goal Attainment Scaling), high-level mobility (High-Level Mobility Assessment Tool), and participation (Participation and Environment Measure for Children and Youth).
Main Results:
- Significant improvements were observed in running ability, with 86% of the treatment group achieving their running goals compared to 0% in the control group (p < 0.001).
- The intervention group showed significantly greater participation in the school environment (mean difference 1.18, p = 0.045).
- Secondary outcomes like aerobic fitness, anaerobic fitness, and agility were also assessed.
Conclusions:
- A 12-week individualized running skills intervention effectively improves running ability and enhances participation in the school environment for children with cerebral palsy.
- Running is a trainable motor skill for children with CP, and group-based, tailored interventions can yield significant functional gains.
- These findings have implications for rehabilitation, suggesting that targeted running programs can improve mobility and school engagement in children with CP.
Purpose:
The purpose of this study is to evaluate effects of a running intervention on running ability and participation in children with cerebral palsy.
Materials And Method:
Children with cerebral palsy (9-18 years) with Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I-III were randomly assigned to a 12-week running intervention or usual care. Primary outcomes included improvement in running ability (assessed by Goal Attainment Scaling, high level mobility (assessed by the High-Level Mobility Assessment Tool) and participation (assessed by the Participation and Environment Measure for Children and Youth). Secondary outcomes were aerobic and anaerobic fitness and agility. Blinded assessments took place at baseline and 12 weeks. Regression analysis adjusting for baseline differences was used to determine between group differences.
Results:
Forty-two participants (mean age 12.5 years, SD 2.8 years; 15 female) completed the study. Statistically significant group differences at 12-weeks were found for improvements in running ability (86% treatment group versus 0% control group achieved or exceeded their running goals, p < 0.001), and participation in the school environment (Participation and Environment Measure mean difference 1.18: 95%CI 1.00-1.39, p = 0.045).
Conclusion:
A 12-week individualized running training skills intervention results in achievement of running ability goals and participation in the school environment in children with cerebral palsy. Implications for Rehabilitation Children with cerebral palsy who can walk unaided demonstrate impairments in higher level mobility such as running. Running is a motor skill that can be trained in children with cerebral palsy. Individually tailored running skills intervention, delivered in a group context can improve goal-identified running ability and translate into a higher frequency of participation in school activities.
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