Synergistic effect of functional strength training and cognitive intervention on gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy.

Background: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a posture and movement disorder, however; it often includes disturbance of different aspects of cognitive function. This study aimed to investigate if combined functional strength training (FST) and cognitive intervention are more effective than either of them alone on gross motor function in children with spastic diplegic CP.

Methods: Sixty-four children with spastic diplegic CP, with ages ranging from 8 to 12 years, were assigned randomly into four treatment groups; Group I; FST, group II; cognitive training, group III; combined FST and cognitive training, group IV; conventional physical therapy. The Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-88) was used to assess gross motor function at baseline, post-treatment, and 6 months follow-up.

Results: Group III achieved a significant improvement in GMFM-88 when compared to other groups post-treatment and at follow-up.

Conclusion: This study suggests that combined lower limb FST and cognitive intervention had the potential to produce significantly more favorable effects than the single use of either of them on gross motor function in children with spastic diplegia.