Transition Aged Individuals With Cerebral Palsy Have Larger Clinical Gains With Visual Performance Feedback During Power Training

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate if providing visual feedback (VFB) on the speed of the movement during a lower extremity power training treatment protocol results in greater clinical gains in transition aged individuals with cerebral palsy (CP).

Design

Nonrandomized controlled trial.

Setting

Academic medical center.

Participants

Twenty transition aged persons (N=20) with CP (age range, 11-24y; Gross Motor Function Classification Score [GMFCS], I-IV).

Interventions

Twenty-four (8wks; 3d/wk) lower extremity power training sessions while receiving either VFB of their performance or no feedback (NFB) on their performance.

Main Outcome Measures

Bilateral leg press 1-repetition maximum (1RM), bilateral leg peak power production and walking speed reserve.

Results

The VFB group had greater lower extremity strength gains than the NFB group (P=.026). Additionally, the 1RM clinical gains were dependent on the baseline 1RM (P<.001). The VFB group also had greater lower extremity power production after power training (P=.009). The extent of the power production gains was partially dependent on the baseline power production (P<.001). The VFB group also had a larger walking speed reserve after the treatment (P=.039). However, the extent of the walking speed reserve gains was linked with an individual’s GMFCS level (P<.001).

Conclusions

VFB during power training has the potential to results in larger clinical gains for transition aged individuals with CP. Individuals with higher GMFCS levels, lower muscular strength and muscular power at baseline might not demonstrate as large of gains after power training even when VFB is provided. Alternative treatment strategies should be considered for these cases. Nevertheless, our results convey that learning to perform fast lower extremity motor actions likely has clinically relevant benefits for transition aged individuals with CP.