Loaded sit-to-stand resistance exercise improves motor function in children with cerebral palsy.

Question: What is the effect of loaded sit-to-stand resistance exercise on motor activity, muscle strength, and walking speed and efficiency for children with mild spastic diplegia (cerebral palsy)? Design: Randomised, controlled trial with blinded outcome assessment. Setting: Home-based rehabilitation program with laboratory-based assessments, in Taiwan. Participants: Twenty-four children aged between 5 and 12 years with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy (classified by the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) as level I or II) were recruited from hospitals and schools in Taipei and randomly allocated to either the experimental or control group, with stratification by age and GMFCS level. Interventions: Both groups received their regular physical therapy (passive range of motion exercises, positioning, balance, functional, and neurodevelopmental training). In addition, the experimental group underwent loaded sit-to-stand exercise three times a week for six weeks. This group also completed an exercise Loaded sit-to-stand resistance exercise improves motor function in children with cerebral palsy