Therapeutic Dance Intervention for Children With Cerebral Palsy

A Pilot Study of a Therapeutic Dance Intervention for Children With Cerebral Palsy

Children with cerebral palsy (CP) have motor impairments that may limit participation in standard physical activity (PA) programs. Adapted PA interventions may help address this gap. Dance-based interventions may support coordination, posture, muscle strength, motor learning, and executive function. This pilot study evaluates the feasibility and preliminary effects of a therapeutic ballet intervention designed for children with CP on physiological and executive function outcomes.

Eight children with cerebral palsy (CP), ages 9 to 14 years, participated in a six-week therapeutic ballet intervention. Participants underwent pre- and post-intervention assessments of body composition by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), muscle strength by hand-grip dynamometry, habitual physical activity, gait, selective motor control, and executive function. Follow-up assessments of habitual physical activity, gait, and executive function were completed 4 to 5 weeks after the intervention.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Cerebral palsy spastic diplegia and/or hemiplegia
• Absence of health problems that would preclude participation in exercise
• Male or female age 9 - 15 years inclusive at the time of consent
• Minimum level of intellectual functioning (e.g., as determined by an IQ score of 80 or above or other education placement and testing indicating sufficient understanding)
• Ability to complete study measures at the assessment
• Ability to participate in dance classes conducted in English
• Interest in learning ballet
• Intact vision
• Intact hearing
• Able to ambulate independently in the community with or without a device
• Intact proprioception in lower extremities
• Able to complete assessment measures and consents in English
• Referral from the child's pediatrician or other physician indicating that the child is physically able to participate in an exercise intervention

Exclusion Criteria:

• Children with a current diagnosis of severe Major Depressive Disorder
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• Epilepsy
• Autism
• Other major medical conditions that prohibit full participation and children with severe developmental disorders (e.g., mental retardation, severe autism) or with physical impairments that prohibit full participation were excluded from the study.