Effects of various exercise interventions on motor function in cerebral palsy patients: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Purpose: A network meta-analysis was utilized to compare the rehabilitative effectiveness of different exercise interventions on motor function in cerebral palsy(CP) patients.

Methods: Computer searches were conducted across 9 databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and others, to identify randomized controlled trials focusing on different exercise interventions aimed at enhancing motor function in CP patients. The search spanned from the inception of the databases to January 31, 2024.

Results: 20 articles, encompassing 570 patients and evaluating three types of exercise interventions, were included in the analysis. Results showed that aerobic training, resistance training, and mixed training exhibited superior outcomes compared to the control group, as evidenced by improvements in Gross Motor Function Measure scores, muscle strength, gait speed, and 10-Meter Walk Test scores (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the network meta-analysis revealed that resistance training ranked highest in enhancing gross motor function and gait speed among CP patients, while mixed training was deemed most effective in improving muscle strength and 10-Meter Walk Test scores.

Conclusion: Exercise interventions have been shown to significantly improve motor function in CP patients. Among these, resistance training and mixed training stand out for their effectiveness in enhancing walking capabilities. Resistance training is specifically aimed at improving gross motor function, while mixed training focuses on increasing muscle strength.