Reliability and Validity of Strength Measurements of the Lower Limbs in Children With Bilateral Spastic Cerebral Palsy.

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Children; Muscle Weakness; Cerebral Palsy
• Interventions: Other: Functional strength assessment

• Registration Number: NCT03818152
• Lead Sponsor: University Ghent

Brief Summary

Specific musculo-tendinous adaptations in children with cerebral palsy (CP) have an influence on muscle strength and consequently on functional behavior and participation. Evidence of strength training programs has been shown on level of body function but transfer to levels of activity and participation is still limited. Lack of transfer is related to lack of specificity of the training and poor overall quality of the interventions (intensity, duration, frequency and/or type).

The use of functional strength exercises to assess and train strength of the lower limbs in children with CP is well implemented in the most functional children with CP (GMFCS-level I). To assess isometric strength the hand held dynamometer (HHD) can be used in clinical settings but reliability of this tool is questionable.

The aim of this study is to adapt existing functional strength tests for less functional children with CP (focussing on GMFCS level II and III) and to investigate the correlation with isometric strength measurements and other functional parameters.

Detailed Description

Specific musculo-tendinous adaptations in children with cerebral palsy (CP) have an influence on muscle strength and consequently on functional behavior and participation. Evidence of strength training programs has been shown on level of body function but transfer to levels of activity and participation is still limited. Lack of transfer is related to lack of specificity of the training and poor overall quality of the interventions (intensity, duration, frequency and/or type).

The use of functional strength exercises to assess and train strength of the lower limbs in children with CP is well implemented in the most functional children with CP (GMFCS-level I).

The aim of this study is to adapt existing functional strength tests for less functional children with CP (focussing on GMFCS-level II and III) and to investigate the correlation with isometric strength measurements and other functional parameters.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2018-11-30
• Study First Submitted: 2019-01-25
• Study First Submitted QC: 2019-01-25
• Study First Posted: 2019-01-28
• Primary Completion: 2019-02-15
• Study Completion: 2019-02-15
• Status Verified: 2023-12
• Last Update Submitted: 2023-12-12
• Last Update Posted: 2023-12-13

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 24

Inclusion Criteria

• Bilateral spastic CP
• GMFCS II-III
• 6-18 Y
• No botox until 4 months before testing
• No orthopedic surgery until 1 Y before testing
• Good cooperation

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
study group	Functional strength assessment	Reliability study isokinetic strength assessment of the lower limbs.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Functional testing	60 minutes	30 seconds tests (nr/30 seconds): the children have to perform as much as trials as possible within 30 seconds; e.g. stand up and sit

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Core stability test	30 minutes	30 seconds tests (nr/3 30 seconds test (nr/30 seconds)
Gait capacity	5 minutes	Timed up and go (seconds)
Isometric strength test	60 minutes	Strength of the lower limbs (Nm) by means of a fixed hand held dynamometer

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Ghent University; 🇧🇪 Gent, Belgium