Neurorehabilitation with versus without resistance training after botulinum toxin treatment in children with cerebral palsy: A randomized pilot study

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

  • Bandholm, Thomas Quaade
  • Bente Rona Jensen
  • Lone M Nielsen
  • Helle Rasmussen
  • Jesper Bencke
  • Derek Curtis
  • Søren A Pedersen
  • Stig Sonne-Holm
Objective: To compare the effects of physical rehabilitation with (PRT) and without (CON) progressive resistance training following treatment of spastic plantarflexors with botulinum toxin type A (BoNT) in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Methods: Fourteen children with CP performed supervised PRT (n=7) or CON (n=7) two times per week for 12 weeks, following the BoNT-treatment. Outcome measurements were performed at baseline (pre BoNT), and 4 and 12 weeks post BoNT. They consisted of: ankle muscle function (maximal torque and submaximal torque steadiness of isometric ankle dorsi- and plantarflexion and associated ankle muscle [EMG] activity), gait function (3-dimensional gait analysis), balance function (sway analysis), gross motor function (GMFM-66), and spasticity (modified Ashworth). Results: Submaximal torque control (torque steadiness) of isometric dorsiflexion improved similarly in the two groups, and the improvement was related to the reduction in antagonist (soleus) co-activity (P<0.05). Maximal plantarflexion torque increased after PRT, whereas a reduction was seen after CON (P<0.05). No changes in function were observed. Conclusions: Both types of physical rehabilitation in combination with BoNT-treatment improved antagonist (ankle dorsiflexion) torque-control to the same extent - which was related to the reduction in antagonist co-activity - but only rehabilitation with PRT increased maximal plantarflexion torque.
Original languageEnglish
JournalNeuroRehabilitation
Volume30
Issue number4
Pages (from-to)277-286
Number of pages10
ISSN1053-8135
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2012

ID: 40195797