Majed M. Alhumaid , Faris Yahya I. Asiri , Mohamed A. Said , Justin A. Haegele
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Introduction
Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common childhood disability, affecting 1.5–3 per 1000 live births. Physical exercises have been shown to improve muscle and limb outcomes in CP. This systematic review critically appraises existing systematic reviews on the effects of physical activity and exercise on physical, functional, and psychosocial outcomes in individuals with CP compared to those without.
Methods
Using a PICO framework, the question was: In patients with CP, do physical activity and exercise improve muscle- and limb-related outcomes compared to no intervention or usual care? PubMed, Cochrane, ISI Web of Science, and Embase were searched for systematic reviews meeting inclusion criteria. Seven reviews focusing on exercise-related outcomes in CP were synthesized.
Results
Exergaming significantly improved fine motor dexterity (SMD = 3.12) but not gross manual dexterity. Progressive resistance and general physical activity increased muscle strength (SMD = 0.59), while aerobic exercise showed mixed results. Task-oriented training led to large improvements in gross motor function (SMD = 6.04–11.05) and functional independence (SMD = 6.44). VR-based and aerobic interventions had modest or nonsignificant effects on mobility, balance, and walking. Adverse events were infrequently reported and generally mild. Task-oriented and VR-assisted training showed the most consistent benefits, though heterogeneity and incomplete reporting limit conclusions.
Conclusion
Physical exercises, particularly task-oriented and VR-assisted training, improve motor and limb functions in CP. Future research with longer follow-up, larger samples, and better safety reporting is needed to confirm clinical impact.
Funding
The King Salman Center for Disability Research, Grant/Award Number: KSRG-2024–036. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42025646412.
期刊介绍:
Complementary Therapies in Medicine is an international, peer-reviewed journal that has considerable appeal to anyone who seeks objective and critical information on complementary therapies or who wishes to deepen their understanding of these approaches. It will be of particular interest to healthcare practitioners including family practitioners, complementary therapists, nurses, and physiotherapists; to academics including social scientists and CAM researchers; to healthcare managers; and to patients. Complementary Therapies in Medicine aims to publish valid, relevant and rigorous research and serious discussion articles with the main purpose of improving healthcare.