A Physical Therapy Program Targeting Lower Extremity Selective Motor Control in Children With Spastic Cerebral Palsy

Physical Therapy Program for Selective Motor Control

The goal of this intervention study is to learn whether a physical therapy exercise camp called will improve leg movement (motor control) and functional ability in children with spastic CP who are between 5 and 18 years. The main questions the study aims to answer are:

• Does the ability to move the knee at high velocities improve?
• Does function such as walking, running, hopping, climbing stairs improve?
• Will the brain tracts that control movement change?
• Will children who have better independent control of joint motion improve more?

All participants will:

• Attend 15 sessions of an exercise camp for 3 hours per day
• Perform a home exercise program after the camp ends

Measurements:

• Lower extremity selective motor control
• Knee muscle strength at high speeds using an exercise machine
• Gross motor function
• Gait analysis (walking patterns)
• Parent's perception of their child's ability and their satisfaction with that ability
• Change in brain motor tracts using a scanner (MRI) for participants that meet the inclusion criteria for MRI

MRI measurements will be taken twice (before and immediately after the treatment). All other measurements and will be taken 3 times (before, immediately after the treatment and approximately 4 months after the treatment).

Inclusion Criteria:

• spastic cerebral palsy
• age between 5-18 years
• ability to walk at least 10 meters
• ability to follow simple verbal directions

Exclusion Criteria:

All participants

• botulinum toxin or serial casting within the preceding 3 months
• recent orthopedic or neurological surgery within the preceding 12 months
• uncontrolled seizures

For participants undergoing MRI

• inability to lie still
• incompatible metal implants
• baclofen pumps or shunts