Sit‐to‐stand training for self‐care and mobility in children with cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled trial

• Published in: Developmental medicine and child neurology Vol. 63; no. 12; pp. 1476 - 1482
• Main Authors: Chaovalit, Sirawee, Dodd, Karen J, Taylor, Nicholas F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.12.2021
• Subjects: Activities of Daily Living; Cerebral Palsy - physiopathology; Cerebral Palsy - rehabilitation; Child; Child, Preschool; Exercise Therapy - methods; Female; Humans; Male; Motor Skills - physiology; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0012-1622; 1469-8749
• DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.14979

Aim To investigate if a sit‐to‐stand exercise programme for children with cerebral palsy (CP) would improve self‐care and mobility. Method Thirty‐eight children with CP (19 males, 19 females; mean age 8y 0mo, SD 2y 4mo, age range 4y 0mo–12y 4mo) classified in Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels III and IV and their caregivers were randomly allocated to sit‐to‐stand training plus routine physiotherapy (balance and gait training) or routine physiotherapy only (controls). Task‐specific sit‐to‐stand training was completed five times a week for 6 weeks under physiotherapist (twice weekly) and caregiver (three times weekly) supervision. Blinded outcome assessments at week 7 were the self‐care and mobility domains of the Functional Independence Measure for Children, Five Times Sit‐to‐Stand Test (FTSST), and Modified Caregiver Strain Index (MCSI). Results The sit‐to‐stand group self‐care increased by 2.2 units (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.3–3.1) and mobility increased by 2.2 units (95% CI 1.4–3.0) compared to the control group. In the sit‐to‐stand group, the FTSST was reduced by 4.0 seconds (95% CI −4.7 to −3.2) and the MCSI was reduced by 0.8 units (95% CI −1.2 to −0.4) compared to the control group. Interpretation A sit‐to‐stand exercise programme for children with CP classified in GMFCS levels III and IV improved sit‐to‐stand performance and resulted in small improvements in self‐care and mobility, while reducing caregiver strain. What this paper adds Sit‐to‐stand training improved independence in self‐care and mobility for children with cerebral palsy (CP). Home‐based sit‐to‐stand training programmes for children with CP can reduce the burden on supervising caregivers. What this paper adds Sit‐to‐stand training improved independence in self‐care and mobility for children with cerebral palsy (CP). Home‐based sit‐to‐stand training programmes for children with CP can reduce the burden on supervising caregivers.