Aquatics and Cerebral Palsy

The International Journal of Pediatrics recently published research entitled Aquatic Exercise Programs for Children and Adolescents with Cerebral Palsy:What Do We Know and Where Do We Go? It is a review article on research since 2005 on this topic. The results indicate that there is limited research on this topic. Most of the studies were done with small sample sizes and higher functioning children (GMFCS Levels I, II and III). Only one participant with GMFCS Level IV was studied and no participants with Level V. Of the six articles that were included in the review most of the interventions were aerobic activity in the pool for 45 minutes, 2-3 times per week. The researchers recommend additional research including all children with cerebral palsy regardless of GMFCS.

You can read the entire study here.

Reference: J.W. Gorter and S. J. Currie. Aquatic Exercise Programs for Children and Adolescents with Cerebral Palsy:What Do We Know and Where Do We Go? International Journal of Pediatrics Volume 2011, Article ID 712165, 7 pages doi:10.1155/2011/712165