The effect of functional strength training in spastic cerebral palsy

Objective:To determine whether functional and closed-chain strength exercise on lower limb improve motor performance in children with spastic cerebral palsy.Method:Twenty children with spastic cerebral palsy were selected for this study.Each child was matched as closely as possible with another child for age, spastic type, and motor function. All were randomly assigned to either the training or control group. The control group received the neurodevelopmental technique(NDT) treatment,the training group received NDT and functional strength training. Measurements of section C?D?E of the Gross Motor Function Measure(GMFM),muscle tone,passive range of motion(PROM),and ambulatory ability were made before and after treatment for both groups.Result:After six weeks exercise,there were significant improvements in training group compared with the control group on GMFM,on ambulatory ability,on PROM,However. No statistically difference was found in the two groups on muscle tone.Conclusion:A programme of functional strength training is useful for children with cerebral palsy. It has demonstrated increases in motor function,with no increases in spasticity or abnormal movements.