title: Exercise training utilizing body weight-supported treadmill walking with a young adult with cerebral palsy who was non-ambulatory.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this case report is to determine the effects of exercise training using body weight-supported treadmill walking (BWSTW) with an 18-year-old male diagnosed with Cerebral palsy (CP) who was non-ambulatory and not receiving physical therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Outcome measures included the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL), the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI), heart rate (HR), rate of perceived exertion, 3-minute walk test and physiological cost index (PCI). BWSTW sessions took place twice a week for 6 weeks with a reduction of approximately 40% of the patient's weight.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Over-ground 3-minute walk test distance and PCI were essentially unchanged. BWSTW exercise time increased by 67% with a 43% increase in speed while average working HR decreased by 8%. BWSTW PCI decreased by 26%. PedsQL parent report improved in all domains. PedsQL self-report demonstrated a mild decrease. PEDI showed improvements in self-care and mobility.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Exercise utilizing BWSTW resulted in a positive training effect for this young adult with CP who was non-ambulatory. Developing effective and efficient protocols for exercise training utilizing BWSTW may aid in the use of this form of exercise and further quantify outcomes. Ensuring that young adults with CP have safe and feasible options to exercise and be physically active on a regular basis is an important role of a physical therapist.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy Education, Elon University, Elon, NC, USA. pdibiasio@elon.edu
authors.forename: Paula A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: DiBiasio
authors.forename: Cynthia L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Lewis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001835:Body Weight; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004867:Equipment Design; D005080:Exercise Test; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking