title: Effects of a supported speed treadmill training exercise program on impairment and function for children with cerebral palsy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the effects of a supported speed treadmill training exercise program (SSTTEP) with exercise on spasticity, strength, motor control, gait spatiotemporal parameters, gross motor skills, and physical function.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-six children (14 males, 12 females; mean age 9y 6mo, SD 2y 2mo) with spastic cerebral palsy (CP; diplegia, n=12; triplegia, n=2; quadriplegia n=12; Gross Motor Function Classification System levels II-IV) were randomly assigned to the SSTTEP or exercise (strengthening) group. After a twice daily, 2-week induction, children continued the intervention at home 5 days a week for 10 weeks. Data collected at baseline, after 12-weeks' intervention, and 4 weeks after the intervention stopped included spasticity, motor control, and strength; gait spatiotemporal parameters; Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM); and Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument (PODCI).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Gait speed, cadence, and PODCI global scores improved, with no difference between groups. No significant changes were seen in spasticity, strength, motor control, GMFM scores, or PODCI transfers and mobility. Post-hoc testing showed that gains in gait speed and PODCI global scores were maintained in the SSTTEP group after withdrawal of the intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although our hypothesis that the SSTTEP group would have better outcomes was not supported, results are encouraging as children in both groups showed changes in function and gait. Only the SSTTEP group maintained gains after withdrawal of intervention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. t.johnston@usp.edu
authors.forename: Therese E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.forename: Kyle E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.forename: Sandy A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Ross
authors.forename: Philip E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Gates
authors.forename: John P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Gaughan
authors.forename: Richard T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Lauer
authors.forename: Carole A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Tucker
authors.forename: Jack R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Engsberg
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002648:Child; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking