Intensive Pediatric Group Intervention

N/AEnrolling By InvitationNCT06527469

University of Missouri-Columbia6 enrolled

Overview

The purpose of the Mizzou emPOWER program is to meet the curricular needs of entry-level doctorate of physical therapy students by providing them the real-world experience of implementing recent evidence surrounding physical therapy dosing for children with cerebral palsy (CP) for power, strength, and gait interventions while meeting an unmet community need.

Beginning in Fall 2024, the investigators will recruit 6 children with CP, Gross Motor Function Classification System Levels I-III, ages 7-17 years old, to participate in the program. Two students will be assigned to each participant, rotating every 4 weeks due to the structure of the pro-bono clinic. A total of 3 faculty members will supervise. The group will meet for 2 hours, 2 times per week for 15 weeks. Each session will include a 10-minute game-based warm-up, 45 minutes of gait interventions to include treadmill and overground walking as well as other aerobic activities, 45 minutes of resistance training (power and strength training as appropriate for their individual goals), and a 10-minute cool-down incorporating yoga and breathing activities. Participant assessments will be completed during the first week, 7th week, and 15th week. Other programmatic assessments will include students' written reflections on their experiences providing this program, caregiver satisfaction surveys, and participant and caregiver interviews.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

Conditions

Cerebral Palsy

Interventions

PhysZou emPOWER: a strength, power, and gait intervention group physical therapy program for children with CPOTHER

Each session will include a 10-minute game-based warm-up, 45 minutes of gait interventions to include treadmill and overground walking as well as other aerobic activities, 45 minutes of resistance training (power and strength training as appropriate for their individual goals), and a 10-minute cool-down incorporating yoga and breathing activities. To ensure participants are exercising at the appropriate level of intensity, 1 repetition maximum measures will be used to determine the appropriate levels of resistance and heart rate monitors will be worn.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 7 YearsMax age: 17 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Ambulatory children 7-17 years old, children who are participating in emPOWER program * GMFCS Levels I-III * Able to follow 2-3 step directions * English Speaking Exclusion Criteria: * Orthopedic surgery in the past year * Significant visual impairment * Significant hearing impairment

Locations (1)

PhysZou-University of Missouri Department of Physical Therapy

Columbia, Missouri, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

1 Repetition Maximum (1-RM) Testing

Particpants will complete strength testing of hip/knee extensors and plantarflexor muscle groups using a leg press, using 1 Rep max testing protocols, as outlined in Pontiff and moreau, 2022. (PMID 35960137)