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Synergistic effect of functional strength training and cognitive intervention on gross motor function in children
1Department of Physical Therapy for Pediatrics, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
Insights
Combined functional strength training and cognitive intervention significantly improved gross motor function in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy (CP). This approach was more effective than individual therapies alone.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neurology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) is a disorder affecting posture and movement, frequently accompanied by cognitive impairments.
- Spastic diplegic CP specifically impacts motor function in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of combined functional strength training (FST) and cognitive intervention on gross motor function in children with spastic diplegic CP.
- To compare the combined approach against FST alone, cognitive training alone, and conventional physical therapy.
Main Methods:
- Sixty-four children (8-12 years) with spastic diplegic CP were randomized into four groups: FST, cognitive training, combined FST and cognitive training, and conventional physical therapy.
- Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-88) assessed outcomes at baseline, post-treatment, and 6-month follow-up.
Main Results:
- The combined FST and cognitive training group demonstrated significant improvements in GMFM-88 scores compared to all other groups.
- These improvements were sustained at both post-treatment and 6-month follow-up assessments.
Conclusions:
- Combined lower limb FST and cognitive intervention offer superior benefits for gross motor function in children with spastic diplegic CP.
- This integrated therapeutic strategy is more effective than employing FST or cognitive training in isolation.
Background:
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a posture and movement disorder, however; it often includes disturbance of different aspects of cognitive function. This study aimed to investigate if combined functional strength training (FST) and cognitive intervention are more effective than either of them alone on gross motor function in children with spastic diplegic CP.
Methods:
Sixty-four children with spastic diplegic CP, with ages ranging from 8 to 12 years, were assigned randomly into four treatment groups; Group I; FST, group II; cognitive training, group III; combined FST and cognitive training, group IV; conventional physical therapy. The Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-88) was used to assess gross motor function at baseline, post-treatment, and 6 months follow-up.
Results:
Group III achieved a significant improvement in GMFM-88 when compared to other groups post-treatment and at follow-up.
Conclusion:
This study suggests that combined lower limb FST and cognitive intervention had the potential to produce significantly more favorable effects than the single use of either of them on gross motor function in children with spastic diplegia.
