Effects of Therapies Involving Plyometric-Jump Training on Physical Fitness of Youth with Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis.

The aim of this systematic review was to assess the effects of plyometric-jump training (PJT) on the physical fitness of youth with cerebral palsy (CP) compared with controls (i.e., standard therapy). The PRISMA 2020 guidelines were followed. Eligibility was assessed using the PICOS approach. Literature searches were conducted using the PubMed, Web of Science, and SCOPUS databases. Methodological study quality was assessed using the PEDro scale. Data were meta-analyzed by applying a random-effects model to calculate Hedges' g effect sizes (ES), along with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). The impact of heterogeneity was assessed (I2 statistic), and the certainty of evidence was determined using the GRADE approach. Eight randomized-controlled studies with low-to-moderate methodological quality were included, involving male (n = 225) and female (n = 138) youth aged 9.5 to 14.6 years. PJT interventions lasted between 8 and 12 weeks with 2-4 weekly sessions. Compared with controls, PJT improved the muscle strength (ES = 0.66 [moderate], 95% CI = 0.36-0.96, p < 0.001, I2 = 5.4%), static (ES = 0.69 [moderate], 95% CI= 0.33-1.04, p < 0.001, I2 = 0.0%) and dynamic balance (ES = 0.85 [moderate], 95% CI = 0.12-1.58, p = 0.023, I2 = 81.6%) of youth with CP. Therefore, PJT improves muscle strength and static and dynamic balance in youth with CP compared with controls. However, more high-quality randomized-controlled trials with larger sample sizes are needed to provide a more definitive recommendation regarding the use and safety of PJT to improve measures of physical fitness.

Efectividad de la Terapia Acuática en la Función Motora Gruesa en Población Infantojuvenil con Parálisis Cerebral. Una Revisión Narrativa / Effectiveness of Aquatic Therapy on Gross Motor Function in Children and Young People with Cerebral Palsy. A Narrative Review

Introducción. La parálisis cerebral (PC) es una de las principales causas de discapacidad en la población infantil, afectando diversas áreas del desarrollo como la función motora gruesa; equilibrio y marcha. Hay evidencia de los beneficios de la terapia acuática y de cómo puede complementar la rehabilitación. Objetivo. Describir la efectividad de las intervenciones acuáticas en personas con PC, determinar mejoras en la función motora gruesa uso de métodos, protocolos y dosificación. Métodos. Se analizaron 9 estudios aleatorizados controlados desde el 2012 a la fecha, seleccionados por un experto y cuyos sujetos tenían PC espástica, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) I a IV, entre los 2 y 20 años. Post intervención acuática se reportan mejoras significativas en el promedio de los ítems medidos por Gross motor function measure (GMFM). De los métodos que contribuyeron a mejoras se encuentra Halliwick y ejercicios acuáticos sin un programa específico. Resultados. Se obtuvieron mejoras de 35 a 100 minutos, y de 12 a 30 sesiones en total. No se logra concluir el tipo de terapia más efectiva, ya que las medidas de resultado y las características de los sujetos eran diversas. Conclusión. Una dosificación mínima de 2 veces por semana, 35 minutos de intervención en un total de 16 sesiones (9,3 horas en total) pareciera mejorar la función motora gruesa, cuyos resultados son transferibles a las actividades en tierra inmediatamente, sin embargo, no se obtiene información si se mantienen a mediano o largo plazo.

Background. Cerebral palsy (CP) is one of the main causes of disability in the child population, affecting various areas of development such as gross motor function; balance and gait. There is evidence of the benefits of aquatic therapy and how it can complement rehabilitation. Objective. to describe the effectiveness of aquatic interventions in people with CP, to determine improvements in gross motor function using methods, protocols, and dosage. Methods. Nine randomized controlled studies were analyzed from 2012 to date, selected by an expert and whose subjects had spastic CP, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) I to IV, between 2 and 20 years of age. Results. After the aquatic intervention, significant improvements were reported in the average of the Gross motor function measure (GMFM) items measured. Of the methods that contributed to improvements, there is Halliwick and aquatic exercises without a specific program. Results. Improvements were obtained from 35 to 100 minutes, and from 12 to 30 sessions in total. It is not possible to conclude the most effective type of therapy, since the outcome measures and the characteristics of the subjects were diverse. Conclusion. A minimum dosage of 2 times per week, 35 minutes of intervention in a total of 16 sessions (9.3 hours in total) seems to improve gross motor function, the results of which are immediately transferable to activities on land, however, it is not obtains information if they are maintained in the medium or long term.

Evaluation of ALBA device for upper extremity motor function in adults with subacute and chronic acquired brain injury: a randomised controlled trial protocol in a tertiary clinic of the metropolitan region of Chile.

INTRODUCTION: Stroke is a significant worldwide cause of death and a prevalent contributor to long-term disability among adults. Survivors commonly encounter a wide array of motor, sensory and cognitive impairments. Rehabilitation interventions, mainly targeting the upper extremities, include a wide array of components, although the evidence indicates that the intensity of practice and task-specific training play crucial roles in facilitating effective results. Assisted therapy with electronic devices designed for the affected upper extremity could be employed to enable partial or total control of this limb, while simultaneously incorporating the aforementioned characteristics in the rehabilitation process. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: 32 adults who had a subacute or chronic stroke, aged over 18 years old, will be included for this randomised controlled trial aiming to determine the non-inferiority effect of the inclusion of a robotic device (ALBA) to regular treatment against only regular rehabilitation. Participants will be assessed before and after 4 weeks of intervention and at 3 months of follow-up. The primary outcome will be the Fugl-Meyer assessment for upper extremities; secondary outcomes will include the questionnaires Functional Independence Measure, Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form Health Survey as well as the System Usability Scale. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Full ethical approval was obtained for this study from the scientific and ethical review board Servicio de Salud Metropolitano Oriente of Santiago (approval number: SSMOriente030522), and the recommendations of the Chilean law no 20120 of 7 September 2006, concerning scientific research in the human being, its genome and human cloning, will be followed. Ahead of inclusion, potential participants will read and sign a written informed consent form. Future findings will be presented and published in conferences and peer-reviewed journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: International ClinicalTrials.gov Registry (NCT05824416; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05824416?term=uMOV&draw=2&rank=1).

Effects of Sport-Based Exercise Interventions on Executive Function in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Exercise programs of moderate-to-vigorous intensity have been shown to improve the cognitive performance of older people. However, the specific effects of sports-based exercise programs on cognitive performance, particularly executive functions, remain unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to clarify the effects of sports-based exercise programs on executive functions in older adults using a systematic review and meta-analysis of the scientific literature. A systematic review was conducted between 1 March and 1 July 2022, to look for published scientific evidence that analyzed different sports programs that may have affected executive function in healthy older adults. Longitudinal studies, which assessed the effects of sports interventions on healthy older adults, were identified through a systematic search of the four principal electronic databases: Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and EBSCO. A total of nine studies with a total of 398 subjects met the inclusion criteria and were classified based on one or more of the following categories: working memory, inhibition, and cognitive flexibility. The DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model was performed using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software to facilitate the analysis of the studies. Statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. In terms of working memory, a small but positive significant effect was noted for the intervention group compared to the control group (effect size (ES) = 0.35, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.04-0.67; p = 0.029; I2 = 36.7%); in terms of inhibition, the intervention had a small favoring but no significant effect compared to the control group (ES = 0.20, 95% CI = -0.42-0.84; p = 0.517; I2 = 78.8%); and in terms of cognitive flexibility, the intervention had a small favoring but no significant effect compared to the control group (ES = 0.39, 95% CI = -0.11-0.89; p = 0.131; I2 = 75.5%). Our findings suggest that healthy older adults should be encouraged to participate in sports to improve their working memory; however, more studies are required in this area to reach more robust conclusions. This systematic review was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (registration number: CRD42022284788).