Aquatic-based Explosive Strength Training in Children With Cerebral Palsy

NCT ID: NCT05198999

Last Updated: 2022-01-20

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 56 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2018-08-06
• Study Completion Date: 2019-09-26

Brief Summary

This study was designed to assess the effect of a 12-week aquatic-based plyometric (Aqua-PLYO) training on postural control and functional performance in children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy (h-CP). Fifty-six children with h-CP were randomly allocated to the Aqua-PLYO group (n = 28, received an Aqua-PLYO training program, trice/week, over 12 weeks) or the control group (n =28, received standard rehabilitation). Both groups were assessed for postural control and functional performance pre and post-treatment.

Detailed Description

Fifty-six children with h-CP were recruited from the Physical Therapy Outpatient Clinic of College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, King Khalid Hospital, and a tertiary referral hospital, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia. Their age ranged between 12 and 16 years, were functioning at levels I or II on the Gross Motor Function Classification System, and had spasticity level 1 or 1+ per the Modified Ashworth Scale. Children were excluded if they had fixed deformities, had leg-length discrepancy, underwent neuromuscular or orthopedic surgery in the last 12 months, submitted to BOTOX injection in the past 6 months, attentional neglect, cardiopulmonary problems preventing them from performing high-intense exercise training.

Outcome measures

1. Postural control: The dynamic limits of stability (LOSdynamic) indices were measured through the Balance Master system.

2. Functional performance: Functional performance was quantified using the 30-second sit-to-stand test (30sec-STS), Timed Up and Down Stairs test (TUDS), and the Dynamic Gait Index (DGI).

The Aqua-PLYO group received a 12-week Aqua-PLYO training, 45 minutes per session, three times a week for 12 consecutive weeks, in conformity with the National Strength and Conditioning Association guidelines and American Academy of Pediatrics safety standards. The Aqua-PLYO program consisted of ten unilateral and bilateral lower limb plyometrics in the form of hopping/bounding/jumping activities conducted in a water medium. The Aqua-PLYO training included a warm-up for 10 minutes and a cool-down for10 minutes. The control group received the usual physical therapy care, 45 minutes per session, three times a week for 12 consecutive weeks. The program consisted of advanced balance training, and gait training exercises, postural and flexibility exercises, strength training exercises.

Conditions

Cerebral Palsy

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

Aqua-PLYO group

Participants in this group received the Aqua-PLYO training program

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Aquatic-based Plyometric Exercises

Intervention Type: OTHER

The Aqua-PLYO group received the aquatic plyometric exercise training for 45 minutes, three times per week for 12 successive weeks. The training was conducted under close supervision of a licensed pediatric physical therapist according to safety performance guidelines defined by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the US National Strength and Conditioning Association

Control group

Participants in this group received the standard physical rehabilitation program

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Standard Physical Therapy

Intervention Type: OTHER

The control group received the standard physical rehabilitation program conducted for 45 minutes, thrice a week for 12 consecutive weeks, and consisted of advanced balance training, gait training, postural and flexibility exercises, and strength training exercises.

Interventions

Aquatic-based Plyometric Exercises

The Aqua-PLYO group received the aquatic plyometric exercise training for 45 minutes, three times per week for 12 successive weeks. The training was conducted under close supervision of a licensed pediatric physical therapist according to safety performance guidelines defined by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the US National Strength and Conditioning Association

Intervention Type: OTHER

Standard Physical Therapy

The control group received the standard physical rehabilitation program conducted for 45 minutes, thrice a week for 12 consecutive weeks, and consisted of advanced balance training, gait training, postural and flexibility exercises, and strength training exercises.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Hemiparetic cerebral palsy
• Age between 12 to 16 years
• Spasticity level 1 or 1+ according to the Modified Ashworth Scale
• Gross motor function level I or II according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System

Exclusion Criteria

• Structural deformities
• Musculoskeletal or neural surgery in the last year
• BOTOX injection in the last 6 months.
• Cardiopulmonary disorders limit the ability to engage in explosive exercise training
• Hemi-spatial neglect

• Minimum Eligible Age: 12 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 16 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Cairo University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Ragab Kamal Elnaggar

Associate Professor

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Ragab K Elnaggar, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University

Ragab K Elnaggar, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Cairo University

Locations

Ragab K. Elnaggar

Al Kharj, Riyadh Region, Saudi Arabia

Countries

Saudi Arabia

Other Identifiers

RHPT/0018/0069

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id