Feasibility and efficacy of resistance training in CP. Version 1.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An evaluation of the feasibility, acceptability and efficacy of resistance training in adolescents with cerebral palsy: a randomised controlled trial.
IRAS ID
172294
Contact name
Jennifer Ryan
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Cerebral palsy (CP) affects how people move and function in their daily lives. Being able to walk and function independently becomes especially important as children enter adolescence and want to take part in activities outside family life. Just as young adults with CP are becoming more independent, they can experience deterioration in their walking ability making it difficult for them to participate in everyday life. One reason for this deterioration is that it takes more effort for people with CP to walk than people without CP. The increased effort is possibly due to people with CP having less control over their muscles and because the mechanical characteristics of their muscles and tendons are different from people without CP. Resistance training can be used to treat people with CP. Improved muscle strength and altered mechanical properties of muscle and tendons as a result of resistance training could reduce the effort of walking. This in turn could prevent deterioration in walking function and encourage physical activity. The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness and acceptability of resistance training in adolescents with CP.
Sixty adolescents with CP (aged 12-19 years) will participate in this study; 30 will carry out resistance training for 10 weeks and 30 will continue to receive usual care only (control group), provided that this does not include resistance training. A mixed methods process evaluation will be embedded within the design. Walking efficiency, gross motor function, physical activity, participation, plantar- and dorsi-flexor (muscles that point and pull up toes) antagonistic co-contraction, and Triceps Surae (calf) muscle and tendon length changes and stiffness will be measured pre- and post-intervention and 12 weeks following the end of the intervention.
REC name
London - Surrey Borders Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/0843
Date of REC Opinion
22 May 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion