The Effects of Intensive Therapy on Trunk and Lower Limbs in Children With Spastic Cerebral Palsy.
Condition: Cerebral Palsy, Spastic
MeSH terms: Muscle Spasticity; Cerebral Palsy
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      Research on the effects of physiotherapeutic interventions in children with CP has grown
      expansively, and shows a wide diversity of techniques and concepts that are used in variable
      intensity. Until now there is no consensus on the optimal intensity of these interventions to
      have a positive impact on the activity and participation level of these children. A recent
      systematic review and meta-analysis already showed evidence for the effect of intensive
      training of hand function in children with CP, including short bursts of highly intensive
      therapy. In contrast, studies on the effect of intensive therapy of gross motor function were
      limited, and training was performed at a lower intensity during a longer period, resulting in
      effects that are more inconclusive. Moreover, none of the reviewed studies included
      improvement of trunk control as one of their treatment goals, although it is known that most
      children with CP experience some problems with trunk control, to a variable extent.

      This research project has two aims, i.e. 1) investigating the effect of intensive therapy
      camps on qualitative and quantitative parameters of lower limbs and trunk; and 2) comparing
      the effect of two therapeutic approaches, namely a functional approach versus a more
      qualitative-functional approach on these parameters.
    

Detailed description: 
      Research on the effects of physiotherapeutic interventions in children with CP has grown
      expansively, and shows a wide diversity of techniques and concepts that are used in variable
      intensity. Until now there is no consensus on the optimal intensity of these interventions to
      have a positive impact on the activity and participation level of these children. A recent
      systematic review and meta-analysis already showed evidence for the effect of intensive
      training of hand function in children with CP, including short bursts of highly intensive
      therapy. In contrast, studies on the effect of intensive therapy of gross motor function were
      limited, and training was performed at a lower intensity during a longer period, resulting in
      effects that are more inconclusive. Moreover, none of the reviewed studies included
      improvement of trunk control as one of their treatment goals, although it is known that most
      children with CP experience some problems with trunk control, to a variable extent.

      This research project has two aims, i.e. 1) investigating the effect of intensive therapy
      camps on qualitative and quantitative parameters of lower limbs and trunk; and 2) comparing
      the effect of two therapeutic approaches, namely a functional approach versus a more
      qualitative-functional approach on these parameters.
    

Intervention name(s): Qualitative functional therapy; Functional therapy
Intervention type(s): Other; Other
Intervention description(s): Camps fot children with spastic CP are organised. Each camp consists of 10 days of 6 hours therapy per day. Six functional activities focusing on lower limbs and trunk are performed: walking, stair climbing, balance, transfers, trunk control, and Wii (combination of functional activities in sitting and/or standing). A group of clinical experts composes a set of exercises for each of these activities, however individual adaptations according to the needs and abilities of the child can be still be done. Quality of movement (alignment, weightshift, dissociation, coordination and stability) is hereby very important. The theme 'circus' is used to enhance the motivation of the children.; Camps fot children with spastic CP are organised. Each camp consists of 10 days of 6 hours therapy per day. Goals are set with the parents and the children. During the camp children work on obtaining these goals in a exclusively functional way.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Intervention model description: RCT
Masking: Double (Participant, Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Treatment