NCT02754128

BeFAST or BeSTRONG: Brain Change After Fun Athletic Sports-skill Training or Brain Change After Strength TRaining Focusing ON Gait

Linking Neuroplasticity With the Outcomes of Walking-based Interventions: A Feasibility Trial Comparing a Motor Learning Versus a Strength-based Program in Children With Cerebral Palsy

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 20 (actual)
• Sponsor: Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 7 Years – 17 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The purpose of this study is to compare a motor learning (ML)-based gait-related training intervention to a functional lower limb strength training intervention, with a concurrent evaluation of functional, neural and participation outcomes for children and youth with Cerebral Palsy (CP). This study is a two-group, parallel arm RCT in which twenty-two children with CP in GMFCS Levels I-II will be randomly allocated to a 6-week, 16 session program of: (i) ML based gait training or (ii) lower limb strength training. Outcome assessments occur pre/post/4-months post-intervention.

Conditions

• Cerebral Palsy

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	BeFAST	The motor learning (ML)-based gait-related training program is designed to improve advanced gross motor skills and athleticism. It will involve 45-min sessions twice to three times weekly over 6 weeks for a total of 16 active sessions. A maximum of 7 weeks will be permitted. Each session will consist of 35-min of active training along with a 10-min active warm-up/cool-down that incorporates ML. Children will be given a 3- to 5-min mental motor imagery script to practice on days when they do not have active training sessions. The total number of sessions (combined training/home imagery) will be five per week.
BEHAVIORAL	BeSTRONG	The functional strength training program is designed to improve gait-related skills. It will involve 45-min sessions twice to three times weekly over 6 weeks for a total of 16 active sessions. A maximum of 7 weeks will be permitted. Each session will consist of 35-min of active training along with a 10-min active warm-up/cool-down. Children will be given a 3- to 5-min home program of strength exercises to practice on days when they do not have active training sessions. The total number of sessions (combined training/home program) will be five per week.

Timeline

• Start date: 2016-06-01
• Primary completion: 2017-10-01
• Completion: 2017-10-01
• First posted: 2016-04-28
• Last updated: 2019-01-16

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Canada