| Objective: To explore the effects of surfing hydrotherapy combined with aerobic training on children with mild and moderate spastic cerebral palsy (aged 2-6 years). Methods: Totally, 60 children aged from 2 to 6 years old with cerebral palsy were randomly divided into the control group and the hydrotherapy group. The control group was given conventional rehabilitation training, and the hydrotherapy group accepted the aerobic hydrotherapy training on the basis of conventional rehabilitation, 1 h each time and 2 times a week for 3 months. Gross motor function measure (GMFM) score, 6-min walking test (6MWT) distance, 10 m shuttle run times, Brockport modified functional strength, Berg balance ability score and muscle tension of lower limb were measured and compared between the two groups before treatment (T0), 3 months after treatment (T1) and one month after the end of treatment (T2). Results: The GMFM scores at T1 and T2 in hydrotherapy group were significantly higher than those in control group (P<0.05). 6MWT distance, the times of 10m shuttle run and the number of push ups in the functional strength at T1 and T2 in the hydrotherapy group were significantly increased as compared with those in the control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the balance score between the two groups at T1 and T2. The improvement of hamstring muscle tension at T1 and T2 and sural muscle tension at T2 was more significant in the hydrotherapy group than in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: On the basis of routine rehabilitation training, addition of aerobic hydrotherapy training can effectively improve the motor function, aerobic endurance and muscle tension of older children with mild and moderate cerebral palsy. |
