| Objective: To explore the effects of yoga exercises on motor function in school-aged children with cerebral palsy. Methods: The enrolled included 30 young children with diplegic spastic cerebral palsy with gradeⅠ-Ⅱ of Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and were divided into two groups: yoga group (n=15) and routine group (n=15). Both groups were given routine rehabilitation exercise, and yoga group received the yoga exercise additionally. Both groups were subjected to the exercise twice a day, 40 min per time, 5 times per week and 12 weeks totally. The assessments include Berg Balance Scale, Gross Motor Function Measure-88 (GMFM-88) D for standing, and E for walking, running and jumping, and gait parameters. Results: After training for 12 weeks, BBS, GMFM D and E, and temporal-spatial parameters of gait (walking speed, walking stride, and double support time) were improved significantly in both groups (P<0.01). BBS, GMFM D and E, and temporal-spatial parameters of gait in yoga group were improved more significantly than in control group after training (P<0.05). Conclusions: Yoga exercises can improve the balance and gross motor function and temporal-spatial parameters of gait in school-aged children with cerebral palsy. |
