Strength training effects on balance in spastic diplegia subjects: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of trunk and lower extremity strength-training exercises on muscle strength, balance and motor function in 5 to 14 yr old subjects with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy. In this randomized controlled trial 60 subjects with spastic diplegia were randomly allocated either to the experimental group or to the control group. The experimental group received strength-training in a circuit of workstations with principles of progressive resisted exercises. For the control group only conventional physical therapy treatment was provided. Outcome measures were strength, balance and motor function. Paired t test was used to evaluate the differences before and after the interventions for strength, balance (pediatric balance scale), and function (gross motor functional measure). The Mann-Whitney U test was used to evaluate the effects between the experimental and the control groups due to intervention in strength, balance (pediatric balance scale), and function (gross motor functional measure). Outcome measures improved in both the groups due to intervention, but the improvements in the experimental group were better than the control group. We conclude that 6 wk of strength-training of the trunk and the lower extremity muscles along with conventional physiotherapy, or conventional physiotherapy alone is effective in improving overall strength, balance and function of the subjects with spastic diplegia studied. But strength-training is found to be of greater benefit than conventional physical therapy.

Keywords

Cerebral palsy - spastic diplegia - strength training - balance - motor function