Effects of Aquatic Therapeutic Exercise on Motor Function and Activities for Children and Youth with Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis / 中国康复理论与实践

ABSTRACT

Objective:To evaluate the intervention effects of aquatic therapeutic exercise on functioning and quality of life for children and youth with cerebral palsy within framework of World Health Organization Family International Classifications using systematic review. Methods:Literatures were retrieved and reviewed from the databases of Cochrane Library, PEDro, PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Knowledge, Web of Science, OVID, EBSCO, CMCI, CNKI, Wangfang and VIP until May, 2020. The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about aquatic therapeutic exercise for children and youth with cerebral palsy for functioning were systematically reviewed. The data were analyzed with RevMan 5.3. Results:Nine RCTs were selected, including 162 children and youth. The score of Gross Motor Function Measure improved significantly after aquatic exercise (WMD = 6.31, 95 %CI 2.57 to 10.06, P < 0.001), as well as daily activities and quality of life. Conclusion:Aquatic therapeutic exercise can help improve the gross motor function of children and youth with cerebral palsy, and has positive effects on function of activity and quality of life.