High Intensity Exercise for Cerebral Palsy

Overseen By Raven Young, BS

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Phase 1

Sponsor: University of Alabama at Birmingham

Disqualifiers: Physically active, Blindness, Deafness, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 12 weeks

50 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This study is investigating the potential effects of a high-intensity home-exercise program among children with cerebral palsy. The program includes rhythmic movements to music that are adapted for wheelchair uses and age-appropriate themes. This project has the potential to address a large knowledge gap in the extant literature, because there are no widely accessible, evidence-based, enjoyable, and age-appropriate modalities for improving cardiovascular fitness or cardiometabolic health among children with disabilities who have mobility disabilities.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether participants need to stop taking their current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Sprint-Intensity Interval Training with Telecoaching for cerebral palsy?

Research shows that high-intensity interval training, like short-burst treadmill training and aquatic high-intensity training, can improve walking capacity and aerobic fitness in people with cerebral palsy. This suggests that similar high-intensity exercises, such as Sprint-Intensity Interval Training, might also be beneficial. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is high-intensity exercise safe for people with cerebral palsy?

Research on high-intensity exercise, including aquatic and group-based training, for adolescents and children with cerebral palsy suggests it is feasible and does not report any major safety concerns. These studies focus on improving fitness and quality of life, indicating that such exercise is generally safe for this group. ^{2 3 6 7 8}

How is Sprint-Intensity Interval Training with Telecoaching different from other treatments for cerebral palsy?

Sprint-Intensity Interval Training with Telecoaching is unique because it combines high-intensity exercise with remote guidance, which can be more engaging and accessible for individuals with cerebral palsy compared to traditional exercise programs. This approach may improve fitness and quality of life by providing personalized support and motivation through telecoaching. ^{1 3 7 9 10}

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for children aged 6-17 with cerebral palsy who can use their arms and have a Gross Motor Function Classification of I-III. They need medical clearance for high-intensity exercise, Wi-Fi at home, and caregiver support. It's not for those already very active, with severe motor function impairment (Level IV-V), complete blindness or deafness, contraindications to exercise testing, pregnancy, or without recent physician visit.

Inclusion Criteria

Participants must have a caregiver who will support and monitor the participant's safety during the intervention and manage the child's exercise schedule

I can walk with or without walking aids.

Participants must have medical clearance to participate in high-intensity exercise from a physician

Exclusion Criteria

Participants with complete blindness or deafness

Participants who use a g-tube

I have severe limitations in my physical movements.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants engage in 12 weeks of sprint-intensity interval training with arm-based routines via YouTube videos, with coaching through telecommunications.

12 weeks

Virtual coaching sessions

Wait-list Control

Participants maintain habitual physical activity, diet, and nutrition patterns for 12 weeks before receiving the Movement-to-Music intervention.

12 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in various health metrics, including fasting triglycerides, pVO2, body weight, and more.

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Sprint-Intensity Interval Training with Telecoaching

Trial Overview The study tests a high-intensity home-exercise program tailored for children with cerebral palsy using wheelchairs. The program involves sprint-interval training coordinated with music and telecoaching to improve cardiovascular fitness and cardiometabolic health in an enjoyable way.

Participant Groups

Group I: Movement-to-Music Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

12 weeks of sprint-intensity interval training while following along with YouTube videos that include arm-based routines, with coaching through telecommunications. Participants are instructed to maintain their habitual diet and nutrition patterns

Group II: Wait-list Control Active Control 1 Intervention

12 weeks of maintaining habitual physical activity, diet, and nutrition patterns, until receiving 12 weeks of Movement-to-Music

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,677

Recruited

2,458,000+

Findings from Research

Goal-directed group circuit progressive resistance exercise training (GT) significantly improved motor function in adolescents with cerebral palsy compared to treadmill training (TT), with notable advantages in various functional measures after 30 bi-weekly sessions.

Both training methods were effective, but the GT group showed greater improvements in key assessments like GMFM-66 and TUG, although the differences were less pronounced at the 6-month follow-up.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of a group circuit progressive resistance training program compared with a treadmill training program for adolescents with cerebral palsy. Aviram, R., Harries, N., Namourah, I., et al.[2018]

Short-burst interval locomotor treadmill training (SBLTT) significantly improved walking capacity in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy, as evidenced by increased speeds in the 10 m walk test and one-minute walk test after 20 sessions.

The training also enhanced walking performance, with participants showing a substantial increase in daily strides and time spent at higher stride rates, indicating better overall mobility.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Short-burst interval treadmill training walking capacity and performance in cerebral palsy: a pilot study. Bjornson, KF., Moreau, N., Bodkin, AW.[2021]

A pilot study involving 12 adolescents with cerebral palsy showed that aquatic high intensity interval training is feasible, with a high adherence rate and no major adverse events reported during the 10-week program.

Participants found the training enjoyable and beneficial for social interaction, but further research is needed to determine its effectiveness compared to usual care.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Aquatic high intensity interval training to improve aerobic capacity is feasible in adolescents with cerebral palsy: pilot randomised controlled trial. Depiazzi, J., Smith, N., Gibson, N., et al.[2022]

High-intensity interval training (HIT) significantly improved aerobic exercise capacity in children with cerebral palsy, as evidenced by a 10% increase in peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) after 24 training sessions.

While body composition did not change, parents reported an improvement in their children's quality of life, suggesting that HIT may enhance overall well-being, even if the children themselves did not perceive a difference.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

High-intensity interval training to improve fitness in children with cerebral palsy. Lauglo, R., Vik, T., Lamvik, T., et al.[2020]

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of a group circuit progressive resistance training program compared with a treadmill training program for adolescents with cerebral palsy. [2018]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Short-burst interval treadmill training walking capacity and performance in cerebral palsy: a pilot study. [2021]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Aquatic high intensity interval training to improve aerobic capacity is feasible in adolescents with cerebral palsy: pilot randomised controlled trial. [2022]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Does Home-Based Progressive Resistance or High-Intensity Circuit Training Improve Strength, Function, Activity or Participation in Children With Cerebral Palsy? [2019]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effects of progressive resistance training on daily physical activity in young people with cerebral palsy: a randomised controlled trial. [2016]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Translating scientific recommendations into reality: a feasibility study using group-based high-intensity functional exercise training in adolescents with cerebral palsy. [2023]

7. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

High-intensity interval training to improve fitness in children with cerebral palsy. [2020]

8. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Randomized controlled trial assessing participation and quality of life in a supported speed treadmill training exercise program vs. a strengthening program for children with cerebral palsy. [2015]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The clinimetric properties of aerobic and anaerobic fitness measures in adults with cerebral palsy: A systematic review of the literature. [2018]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Assessment of muscle endurance of the knee extensor muscles in adolescents with spastic cerebral palsy using a submaximal repetitions-to-fatigue protocol. [2014]