Systematic review of progressive strength training in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy who are ambulatory.
OBJECTIVE
To capture and analyze the evidence concerning the effects of progressive strength training on function and gait in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) who are ambulatory.


METHODS
A language-inclusive search was conducted for controlled or noncontrolled studies of strength training for subjects with CP who were ambulatory and aged 4 to 20 years, using objective outcome measures. Quality was assessed with the Maastricht-Amsterdam List. Data were extracted and analyzed.


RESULTS
The 13 included articles favored treatment without significant adverse effects. Function and gait improved more following isotonic rather than isokinetic training, and in younger rather than older subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
Function and gait improvements were greater in preadolescents.
Mockford
Margaret
M
Physiotherapy Department, Blackfriars School, North Staffordshire NHS Primary Care Trust, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Strafforshire, UK. margaret.mockford@ukonline.co.uk
Caulton
Janette M
JM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D055815:Young Adult