Article

Evidence-based recommendations regarding which exercise tests to use in
children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) are lacking. This makes it very
difficult for therapists and researchers to choose the appropriate
exercise-related outcome measures for this group. This study aimed to identify a
core set of exercise tests for children and adolescents with CP. METHOD: Fifteen
experts (10 physical therapists/researchers and five exercise physiologists;
three from the Netherlands, two from the USA, one from the UK, five from Canada,
and four from Australia) participated in a Delphi survey which took four stages
to achieve a consensus. Based on the information that was collected during the
survey, a core set of measures was identified for levels I to IV of the Gross
Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). RESULTS: For children with CP
classified at GMFCS levels I and II, tests were identified for two motor skills
(walking and cycling). For the subgroup of children with CP classified at GMFCS
level III, the tests that were identified related to walking, cycling, and arm
cranking. For children with CP classified at GMFCS level IV, the tests included
in the core set were related to cycling and arm cranking. INTERPRETATION: The
core set will help physical therapists, exercise physiologists, and other health
professionals who work with children and adolescents with CP to decide which
test(s) to use in clinical practice or research. This will facilitate
comparability of results across studies and clinical programmes.
CI - (c) The Authors. Journal compilation (c) Mac Keith Press 2011.

Langue : ANGLAIS