title: Can a lifestyle intervention programme improve physical behaviour among adolescents and young adults with spastic cerebral palsy? A randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Optimal physical behaviour is important, as physical inactivity contributes to functional deterioration and reduced social participation. Nevertheless, research showed that persons with cerebral palsy (CP) have low physical activity levels. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a lifestyle intervention programme on physical behaviour.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-seven persons (36 completed the total study) with spastic CP (age range 16 to 25y; 27 males, 30 females), classified as Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I-IV were included in this randomized controlled trial. Twenty-nine participants had a unilateral CP and 27 had a bilateral CP. A 6-month lifestyle intervention consisting of fitness training and counselling on physical behaviour and sports participation was evaluated. Physical behaviour was objectively measured using ambulatory activity monitors. Self-reported physical activity was determined using the Physical Activity Scale for Individuals with Physical Disabilities.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The intervention did not affect the objectively measured physical activity during the intervention (beta=0.34, CI=-1.70 to 2.37) or at follow-up (beta=0.30, CI=-1.99 to 2.59). Self-reported physical activity was positively affected during the intervention period (beta=7.61, CI=0.17-15.05); however, this effect was not present at follow-up (beta=3.65, CI=-3.05 to 10.36).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The lifestyle intervention was ineffective in eliciting a behavioural change towards more favourable physical behaviour in adolescents and young adults with spastic CP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jorrit
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Slaman
authors.forename: Marij
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Roebroeck
authors.forename: Annet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dallmijer
authors.forename: Jos
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Twisk
authors.forename: Henk
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Stam
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Van Den Berg-Emons
mesh_terms: D056044:Actigraphy; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D010352:Patient Dropouts; D057566:Self Report; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult