Utility of Upper-Extremity Plyometrics in Children With Unilateral Cerebral Palsy

NCT06980246 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: RHPT/0023/0013
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 58
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study was set out to evaluate the effect of a 12-week upper extremity plyometric exercise (Plyo-Ex) on muscle strength and upper extremity function in children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy (Hemi-CP). Fifty-eight children with Hemi-CP were randomly allocated to the Plyo-Ex group (n = 29, received Plyo-Ex program, twice/week, over 12 weeks) or the control group (n = 29, received standard exercise program). Both groups were assessed for muscle strength and upper extremity function before and after treatment.

Conditions

Cerebral Palsy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Muscle strength

  The peak isometric muscle strength (Kg) was measured using a hand-held dynamometer

  2 months

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• Unilateral upper-extremity function

  2 months

• Spontaneity of the upper extremity use

  2 months

• Dynamic positional alignment of the upper extremity

  2 months

• Grasp-release Ability

  2 months

• Bimanual hand function

  2 months

Study Arms (2)

Plyo-Ex group

EXPERIMENTAL

Children in this group received the Plyo-Ex program

Other: Plyometric Exercise

Control group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Children in this group received the standard exercise program.

Other: Standard exercise program

Interventions

Plyometric Exercise OTHER

The Plyo-Ex program was conducted for 45 minutes/session twice weekly over 12 weeks. The program was directed by a pediatric physical therapist in accordance with the safety performance guidelines defined by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the US National Strength and Conditioning Association. The program consisted of ten unilateral and bilateral upper extremity exercises in the form of push-ups and ball slams/throws/passes activities and was preceded by a warm-up for 5 minutes and ended with a cool-down for 5 minutes.

Plyo-Ex group

Standard exercise program OTHER

The standard exercise program lasted for 45 minutes/session and repeated two times a week for 12 consecutive weeks. The program was conducted by a pediatric physical therapist and consisted of flexibility exercises, strength training, weight-bearing exercises, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, coordination exercise, and functional training.

Control group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 10 Years - 15 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Unilateral cerebral palsy
• Age 10-15 years
• Motor function level I or II according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System.
• Spasticity level 1 or 1+ according to the Modified Ashworth Scale

You may not qualify if:

• Structural deformities/contractures
• Musculoskeletal or neural surgery in the last year
• BOTOX injection in the last 6 months.
• Cardiopulmonary disorders that could be exacerbated by exercise.
• Perceptual and/or behavioral disorders.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Cairo University: lead
• Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Ragab K. Elnaggar

Al Kharj, Riyadh Region, Saudi Arabia

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Elnaggar RK, Ramirez-Campillo R, Elfakharany MS, Alrawaili SM, Alghadier M, Alotaibi MA, El-Basatiny HM, Elsaeed TM. Task-Oriented Plyometric Intervention for Augmenting Upper Extremity Strength and Function in Hemiparetic Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Controlled Trial. NeuroRehabilitation. 2025 Dec 24:10538135251400762. doi: 10.1177/10538135251400762. Online ahead of print.

  PMID: 41442215 DERIVED

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Cerebral Palsy

Interventions

Plyometric Exercise

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Brain Damage, Chronic; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Exercise Therapy; Rehabilitation; Aftercare; Continuity of Patient Care; Patient Care; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities; Physical Conditioning, Human; Exercise; Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Study Officials

• Ragab K Elnaggar, PhD

  Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: This was a single-blind protocol. The researcher who collected the data was blind to the allocation of treatment
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor

Model Details: A prospective, two-arm, randomized controlled trial

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 12, 2025
• First Posted: May 20, 2025
• Study Start: February 12, 2023
• Primary Completion: January 4, 2024
• Study Completion: January 4, 2024
• Last Updated: May 20, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

SA (1)