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Stretching in Children and Adolescents With Spastic Cerebral Palsy

NCT04570358 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 24

Last updated 2021-10-12

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

The primary aim of this study is to gain knowledge about both the effects of a single bout of static and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching and the effects of 8-week static and PNF stretching training on the calf muscle-tendon properties in children with spastic cerebral palsy (SCP). Furthermore, the effects on joint and muscle function, stretch reflexes, gait, and self-reported gait function and functional performance are examined to receive a comprehensive picture of potential changes.

Further aims of this study are to identify which stretching technique might be more efficient by comparing the effects of both stretching interventions, and to gain information about the influence of foot flexibility on the stretch achieved by the spastic gastrocnemius muscle.

Conditions

  • Cerebral Palsy, Spastic

Interventions

OTHER

Static stretching

During the static stretching training for the calf muscles, the ankle joint is moved into maximal dorsiflexion until the point of discomfort is reached. The ankle joint is then held in this maximal position for 30 s followed by a rest period of 30 s. Afterwards, the procedure is repeated with the knee in flexed position to stretch the soleus muscle.

OTHER

Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching

During the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching, the ankle joint is moved into maximal dorsiflexion. While the foot is kept in this position, the child will perform a (sub-) maximal isometric contraction of the plantar flexors against the resistance of their parents. Afterwards, the ankle joint will be moved further into greater dorsiflexion and is held there for the remaining seconds followed by 30 s of rest. Subsequently, the stretch will be applied with the knee flexed.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • VU University of Amsterdam

    collaborator OTHER

  • University of Graz

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Annika Kruse, Dr.rer.nat. · University of Graz, Institute of Human Movement Science, Sport and Health

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Model
CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age
6 Years
Max Age
15 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2020-09-11
Primary Completion
2021-09-23
Completion
2021-09-23

Countries

  • Austria

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT04570358 on ClinicalTrials.gov