title: Effects of electrical stimulation, exercise training and motor skills training on strength of children with meningomyelocele: a systematic review.
abstract: This systematic review provides a critical synthesis of research regarding the effects of electrical stimulation, exercise training, and motor skills training on muscle strength in children with meningomyelocele. Nine databases were searched using terms related to meningomyelocele and physical therapy interventions. Of 298 potentially relevant citations, six met the inclusion criteria. Each was rated using the systematic review guidelines of the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine. Two studies examined changes in quadriceps muscle torque following electrical stimulation, three investigated upper extremity exercise training, and one evaluated quadriceps strength after motor skills training. Although the limited evidence suggests improvements in strength when using these interventions, much of the evidence is of low methodological quality and all studies were published more than 10 years ago. Further research is needed regarding various strength-training interventions for children with meningomyelocele and the relationship between increased strength and improved activity and participation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: Liese M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Dagenais
authors.forename: Erin R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Lahay
authors.forename: Kailey A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Stueck
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: Lindsay
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Susan R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Harris
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008591:Meningomyelocele / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D055070:Resistance Training