Objective: The results of previous research into exercise interventions for children with cerebral palsy are inconsistent. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of such exercise interventions.
Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.
Methods: Systematic searches of the PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library databases for randomized controlled trials involving exercise interventions for children with cerebral palsy, from inception to January 2020, were performed. Pooled weighted mean differences (WMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for gross motor function, gait speed, and muscle strength were calculated using random-effects models.
Results: A final total of 27 trials, including 834 children with cerebral palsy, were selected for quantitative analysis. Exercise interventions had no significant effect on the level of gross motor function (WMD 1.19; 95% CI -1.07 to 3.46; p = 0.302). However, exercise interventions were associated with higher levels of gait speed (WMD 0.05; 95% CI 0.00-0.10; p = 0.032) and muscle strength (WMD 0.92; 95% CI 0.19-1.64; p = 0.013).
Conclusion: These results suggest that exercise interventions may have beneficial effects on gait speed and muscle strength, but no significant effect on gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy.
Keywords: cerebral palsy; child; exercise; meta-analysis; systematic review.