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Benefits and enjoyment of a swimming intervention for youth with cerebral palsy: an RCT study
Declerck M, Verheul M, Daly D, Sanders R
Pediatric Physical Therapy 2016 Summer;28(2):162-169
clinical trial
5/10 [Eligibility criteria: Yes; Random allocation: Yes; Concealed allocation: No; Baseline comparability: Yes; Blind subjects: No; Blind therapists: No; Blind assessors: Yes; Adequate follow-up: Yes; Intention-to-treat analysis: No; Between-group comparisons: No; Point estimates and variability: Yes. Note: Eligibility criteria item does not contribute to total score] *This score has been confirmed*

PURPOSE: To investigate enjoyment and specific benefits of a swimming intervention for youth with cerebral palsy (CP). METHODS: Fourteen youth with CP (aged 7 to 17 years, Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I to III) were randomly assigned to control and swimming groups. Walking ability, swimming skills, fatigue, and pain were assessed at baseline, after a 10-week swimming intervention (2/week, 40 to 50 minutes) or control period, after a 5-week follow-up and, for the intervention group, after a 20-week follow-up period. The level of enjoyment of each swim-session was assessed. RESULTS: Levels of enjoyment were high. Walking and swimming skills improved significantly more in the swimming than in the control group (p = 0.043; p = 0.002, respectively), whereas fatigue and pain did not increase. After 20 weeks, gains in walking and swimming skills were retained (p = 0.017; p = 0.016, respectively). CONCLUSION: We recommend a swimming program for youth with CP to complement a physical therapy program.
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