Document Type : Original Articles

Authors

• Sepideh Mansouri ¹
• Gholamali Ghasemi ²
• Morteza Sadeghi ³
• Mohammad Taghi Karimi ⁴

¹ Department of Pathology and Corrective Movements, School of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

² Associate Professor, Department of Pathology and Corrective Movements, School of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

³ PhD Students, Department of Pathology and Corrective Movements, School of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

⁴ Associate Professor, Musculoskeletal Research Center, Department of Orthotics and Prosthetics, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract

Introduction: Cerebral palsy is the most common cause of motor disability in childhood. This study was conducted to determine the effects of 8 weeks of therapeutic rebound therapy on balance, flexibility, and muscle strength of the knee in children with spastic cerebral palsy.Materials and Methods: This semi-experimental study was performed on a total of 20 children of 6 to 12 years of age with spastic cerebral palsy studying at special schools of Isfahan, Iran. The participant were selected through convenience and purposive sampling and were randomly assigned to the control (n = 10) and experimental groups (n = 10). After a briefing session, informed consent forms were obtained from parents of all subjects. A digital dynamometer, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and the sit and reach test were used to assess knee flexor and extensor muscle strength, balance, and flexibility, respectively. Children performed selected training under the supervision of specialists for 8 weeks, 3 sessions per week. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA with significance level of P < 0.05.Results: All parameters measured in the study, including balance, flexibility, and muscle strength of the knee, had significant interactions (P < 0.05). This means that the rebound training group illustrated greater improvement in comparison to the control group.Conclusion: Due to the effectiveness of this training, as illustrated in this study, and being low-cost, safe, and applicable at home, these exercises can be used for a wide range of people with cerebral palsy.

Keywords

• Cerebral palsy
• Rebound therapy
• Balance
• Flexibility
• Knee muscle strength