Comparison of two exercise methods on motor performance and balance in children with spastic cerebral palsy

To assess the effects of a exercise programme on reducing impairment and improving function in children with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy in clinic and home. Design: Randomized clinical trial Participants/ 21 children aged 7–12 years with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy, who were independent ambulators. children were randomly assigned to a control group(n=7) home exercise group(n=7) and clinic exercise group(n=7). control group do regular daily activities, home exercise group do regular daily activities plus a sit-to-stand and step-up exercise programme for six weeks in home, clinic exercise group do the same exercise programme in clinic. Outcome measures: Gross Motor ability asses with GMFM (gross motor function measurement), Timed Up and Go Test and Functional Reach Test were used as functional balance tests, walking performance was assessed by the 10m walk test. At the end of the intervention period an increase of 1.8 cm in the mean Functional Reach Test in two exercise group. and a reduction of 0.64 seconds in the Timed Up and Go Test were noted (P<0.05) in the clinic group while no changes were noted in the control group. In all other outcomes assessed no significant differences were noted between groups. A sit-to-stand and step-up exercise programme can improve balance performance in children with spastic cerebral palsy and it is better in clinic group rather than home group.