Abstract
BackgroundHome-based training is becoming ever more important with increasing demands on the public health systems. We investigated whether individualized and supervised interactive home-based training delivered through the internet improves functional abilities in children with cerebral palsy (CP).MethodsThirty four children with CP (aged 9–16; mean age 10.9 ± 2.4 years) (GMFCS I-II; MACS I-II) were included in this non-randomized controlled clinical training study. 12 children (aged 7–16; mean age: 11.3+/−0.9 years) were allocated to a control group in which measurements were performed with 20 weeks interval without any intervening training. Daily activities, functional abilities of upper- and lower limbs, and balance were evaluated before, immediately after training and 12 weeks after training. The training consisted of 30 min daily home-based training for 20 weeks delivered through the internet.ResultsThe training group on average completed 17 min daily training for the 20 week period (total of 40 h of training). The training group showed significant improvements of daily activities (AMPS), upper limb function (AHA) and functional tests of lower limbs (sit to stand, lateral step up, half knee to standing) after 20 weeks of training. No difference was found between the test after 20 weeks of training and the test 12 weeks after training. No significance was reached for balance after training. No difference was found for any parameter for the control group.ConclusionsInteractive home training of children with CP is an efficient way to deliver training, which can enable functional motor improvements and increased activity to perform daily activities.Trial registrationISRCTN13188513. Date of registration: 04/12/2014
Highlights
Home-based training is becoming ever more important with increasing demands on the public health systems
Full list of author information is available at the end of the article available video-game based methods such as Wii have been shown to be efficient in promoting home-based training for adults with Cerebral Palsy (CP) [4]
With recent developments in computer-technology, the possibility of delivering and supervising training through the internet has emerged. Such internet-based training has been tested in trials on patients with diabetes [5, 6] and rheumatoid arthritis [7] with positive results
Summary
Home-based training is becoming ever more important with increasing demands on the public health systems. We investigated whether individualized and supervised interactive home-based training delivered through the internet improves functional abilities in children with cerebral palsy (CP). With recent developments in computer-technology, the possibility of delivering and supervising training through the internet has emerged. Such internet-based training has been tested in trials on patients with diabetes [5, 6] and rheumatoid arthritis [7] with positive results. These improvements in technology allow easier communication between the therapist and the participant, who is training, who is left with an impression that he/she has a personal coach. We recently published pilot data showing the feasibility of such training in a population of children
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