title: Group-based task-related training for children with cerebral palsy: a pilot study.
abstract: This pilot study examined the feasibility of a 6-week group-based, task-related training program in children 6 to 14 years-old with spastic diplegia. Eight children were randomized to lower limb training and seven to an upper limb dexterity training program. There were no statistically significant differences in lower limb outcomes between children who received the lower limb training and children who received the upper limb dexterity training after completion of the interventions or at a 6-week follow-up. Children who received the upper limb training demonstrated a greater improvement on measures of manual dexterity compared with children who received the lower limb training program. Children who received the lower limb training demonstrated a trend toward walking a longer distance in 10 minutes immediately following intervention, that was not sustained at the 6-week follow-up. The group setting appeared to motivate the children and enhance their participation in the training programs. The pilot study provides data for the calculation of effect size and sample estimates for future studies.
authors.affiliation: Physiotherapy Department, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne.
authors.forename: Jodi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Crompton
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Imms
authors.forename: Anne T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: McCoy
authors.forename: Melinda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Randall
authors.forename: Beverley
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Eldridge
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Scoullar
authors.forename: Mary P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Galea
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002648:Child; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D010865:Pilot Projects; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D016896:Treatment Outcome