Investigating of Effects of Lower Extremities Cycling Functional Electrıcal Stimulation Training On Gait Parameters In Children With Diplegic Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a broadly-defined neurological disorder that encompasses brain injury or malformation in a child's brain that occurs before, during, or immediately after birth and results in impaired motor control. Because of the broad definition of CP, people with CP can exhibit a very wide range of symptoms, and no two people with CP will exhibit the same symptoms. However, people with CP generally have difficulty moving parts of their bodies normally because of muscle weakness or paralysis, impaired muscle coordination, and/or spasticity. Impaired motor control can also be accompanied by intellectual impairment, seizures, or sensory impairment.

Physical impairment can severely limit participation in physical activity by people with CP, as is true for anyone with physical impairments. Lack of physical activity can lead to the development of any number of chronic diseases, especially in children with disabilities like CP. Exercise is an effective method for mitigating the negative secondary health effects of neuromuscular diseases like CP, but how can someone with CP exercise despite their impaired motor control, especially when 31% of children with CP have limited walking ability.

Cycling is an exercise that challenges the muscular and cardiovascular systems, potentially leading to improved health, fitness, and well-being. Cycling with functional electrical stimulation (FES) has been primarily used by people with spinal cord injury; improvements have been seen in bone mineral density, muscle strength (force-generating capacity), and cardiorespiratory measures. Recent reports indicated benefits for people after stroke; improvements in strength and motor control were seen when an FES cycling program was added to traditional rehabilitation. However, there have been no reports of FES cycling for children with CP.

Cycling with FES may be a suitable intervention for with CP because the seated position decreases balance demands, and FES can create or augment pedaling forces. Many people with CP may be incapable of generating sufficient forces during cycling to reach the exercise intensity needed for optimal fitness-related outcomes and musculoskeletal benefits.