Stretch-shortening cycle exercises can efficiently optimize gait-symmetry and balance capabilities in children with unilateral cerebral palsy: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Children with unilateral cerebral palsy (UCP) experience an asymmetrical gait pattern and poor balance capabilities. Effective interventions, therefore, are needed to facilitate remediation of these functional issues.

Objective: This study was set out to investigate the emerging role of stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) exercises on gait-symmetry and balance in children with UCP.

Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 42 children with UCP (age; 8 -12 years) were enrolled and received either standard physical rehabilitation (control group; n = 21) or the SSC exercise program plus physical rehabilitation (SSC group; n = 21). Spatial- and temporal-gait symmetry index (GSI) and specific balance capabilities [reactive balance, directional control, movement synchronization, and sensory organization] were assessed before and after 16 sessions that were carried out twice/week over non-sequential days in an 8-week program.

Results: Using the pre-treatment scores as covariates, the post-treatment spatial- (P = 0.006; ηp2= 0.17) and temporal- GSI (P < .001; ηp2= 0.46) scores reduced significantly in the SSC group as compared to the control group, suggesting favorable improvement of gait symmetry. Also, all measures of balance (P < 0.05; ηp2 ranged between 0.10 and 0.29) improved remarkably, post-treatment, in SSC group in comparison with the control group.

Conclusion: The evidence from this study suggests that SSC exercises besides standard physical rehabilitation appear to be effective for improving gait symmetry and boosting balance capabilities in children with UCP.