Article

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the feasibility and the ability to recruit and retain
children with severe traumatic brain injury or cerebral palsy, and their
families, to a simple home-based exercise programme and to assess the immediate
and short-term effects of such intervention on reducing impairment and improving
function. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty children
aged 7-13 years, with traumatic brain injury (N = 10) or cerebral palsy (N = 10)
who were independent ambulators. Five children from each group were randomly
assigned to a control group - regular daily activities, or to an experimental
group - regular daily activities plus a home-based task-oriented exercise
programme of sit-to-stand and step-up exercise, for six weeks. OUTCOME MEASURES:
Feasibility: The number of participants who completed the programme protocol.
Efficacy: Timed Up and Go Test and Functional Reach Test were used as functional
balance tests. Maximal isometric strength was assessed by using a hand-held
dynamometer; walking performance was assessed by the 10 m walk test, 2-minute
walk test and Energy Expenditure Index. RESULTS: Nine children completed all
parts of the training programme. At the end of the intervention period an
increase of 3-4 cm in the mean Functional Reach Test and a reduction of 1.6 +/-
2.1 seconds in the Timed Up and Go Test were noted (P<0.01) in the experimental
group while no changes were noted in the control group. In all other outcomes
assessed no significant differences were noted between groups. The positive
change in balance performance in the experimental group was maintained during a
six-week follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: A home-based task-oriented exercise
programme can improve balance performance in children with spastic cerebral palsy
or severe traumatic brain injury.

Langue : ANGLAIS