Effects of functional training with and without dynamic cycling activity on spasticity and ambulation in children with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy

BACKGROUND: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a collection of disorders that impede an individual’s capacity to execute voluntary movements and sustain equilibrium and body position. Cerebral palsy (CP) is widely recognized as the prevailing motor disability observed during childhood. The term “cerebral” affects the functions, structures, or processes associated with the brain. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of functional training with and without dynamic cycling activity on spasticity and ambulation in children with spastic diplegia. METHODOLOGY: Sixty-two males and females having GMFCS levels II-III and Modified Ashworth Scale Grade (1, +1, and 2) with pre-diagnosed, aged 3-6 years were participated in this study. The study was conducted in Physical Therapy Department, Allied Hospital Faisalabad from February to October 2023. Group A received conventional physical therapy and functional training without dynamic cycling activity, while Group B received conventional physical therapy and functional training along with dynamic cycling activity. Spasticity and ambulation were assessed using Modified Ashworth Scale and Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) respectively at baseline and 12th week. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 24. RESULTS: The findings of study were originate to be significant for all the outcome variables in both groups. The results of intragroup analysis (Friedman test) and intergroup analysis (Mann- Whitney U test) obtained value is 0.001 (p< 0.05) for all variables. CONCLUSION: Conventional physical therapy and functional training along with dynamic cycling activity showed more significant results for spasticity and ambulation. KEYWORDS: Dynamic cycling, cerebral palsy, Mobility limitation.