AIM: To investigate if a sit-to-stand exercise programme for children with cerebral palsy (CP) would improve self-care and mobility. METHOD: Thirty-eight children with CP (19 males, 19 females; mean age 8 y 0 mo, SD 2 y 4 mo, age range 4 y 0 mo to 12 y 4 mo) classified in Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels III and IV and their caregivers were randomly allocated to sit-to-stand training plus routine physiotherapy (balance and gait training) or routine physiotherapy only (controls). Task-specific sit-to-stand training was completed five times a week for 6 weeks under physiotherapist (twice weekly) and caregiver (three times weekly) supervision. Blinded outcome assessments at week 7 were the self-care and mobility domains of the Functional Independence Measure for Children, Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test (FTSST), and Modified Caregiver Strain Index (MCSI). RESULTS: The sit-to-stand group self-care increased by 2.2 units (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3 to 3.1) and mobility increased by 2.2 units (95% CI 1.4 to 3.0) compared to the control group. In the sit-to-stand group, the FTSST was reduced by 4.0 seconds (95% CI -4.7 to -3.2) and the MCSI was reduced by 0.8 units (95% CI -1.2 to -0.4) compared to the control group. INTERPRETATION: A sit-to-stand exercise programme for children with CP classified in GMFCS levels III and IV improved sit-to-stand performance and resulted in small improvements in self-care and mobility, while reducing caregiver strain.

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