Quadriceps Muscle Plasticity in Children With Cerebral Palsy

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Cerebral Palsy
• Interventions: Other: Traditional strength training; Other: Velocity-enhanced training

• Registration Number: NCT00629070
• Lead Sponsor: Medical University of South Carolina

Brief Summary

Our primary aim is to determine whether and how muscle architecture of the quadriceps muscles in cerebral palsy (CP) adapts to two separate training programs: traditional strength training (ST) vs. velocity-enhanced training (VT). For the ST group, we hypothesize that muscle size will increase in conjunction with strength. For the VT group, in addition to the above, we hypothesize that fiber length will increase with measures of muscle power. We also hypothesize that walking velocity will improve in both groups but that knee motion and step length will improve only with VT.

Detailed Description

Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common physical disability originating in childhood, occurring in 2-3 per 1,000 live births. Although the primary deficit in CP is injury to the brain, secondary impairments affecting muscle function such as weakness, contractures, and spasticity are often far more debilitating and lead to worsening disability throughout the lifespan. Some have suggested that these muscle changes in CP may be irreversible; however, it is now known that muscles are one of the most 'plastic' tissues in the body. In fact, recent evidence suggests that gross muscle hypertrophy and architectural changes within muscle fibers can occur as early as 3-5 weeks after resistance training in healthy adults. It is also unknown how effectively muscles in CP can adapt to training stimuli that target specific muscle architectural parameters, such as fascicle length and cross-sectional area. These parameters have been observed to be decreased in CP, suggesting loss of sarcomeres in-series (fiber shortening) and in-parallel (muscle atrophy). We propose here that specific training-induced muscle architectural adaptations can occur in CP, leading to improved motor function.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2008-02-25
• Study First Submitted QC: 2008-02-25
• Study First Posted: 2008-03-05
• Study Start: 2009-01
• Primary Completion: 2010-12-13
• Study Completion: 2010-12-13
• Status Verified: 2018-05
• Last Update Submitted: 2018-05-14
• Last Update Posted: 2018-05-17

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 16

Inclusion Criteria

• Diagnosis of cerebral palsy
• Gross motor function classification system levels I, II, or III
• Ages 7 to 17

Exclusion Criteria

• Orthopedic or neurosurgery within the past year
• Botulinum toxin injections within the 4 months prior to the study

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
ST	Traditional strength training	Traditional strength training
VT	Velocity-enhanced training	Velocity-enhanced training

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Muscle thickness	before and after intervention

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Fascicle length	before and after intervention
Muscle strength (peak torque)	before and after intervention
Muscle power	before and after intervention

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Neuromuscular Assessment Laboratory; 🇺🇸 Charleston, South Carolina, United States