Abstract:
Objective
To evaluate the effect of sling exercise therapy on the balance and walking ability of children with spastic cerebral palsy.
Methods
Totally 80 children with spastic cerebral palsy were included as the subjects and were divided into two groups according to the order of visits, 40 cases in each group. The control group received routine rehabilitation training, while the observation group received routine rehabilitation training combined with sling exercise therapy. Before and after treatment, the children of the two groups were evaluated. GMFM was used to assess the changes in standing and walking ability. Plantar pressure test(the moving range of center of gravity) was used to assess the changes in the balance ability of body, and ADL effective value was used to evaluate the clinical effect.
Results
After treatment, GMFM and ADL scores were both increased compared with those before treatment, while the moving range of center of gravity was decreased, the difference being statistically significant(P<0.01).After treatment, GMFM and ADL scores were higher in the observation group than in the control group, while the moving range of center of gravity was lower(P<0.05).The clinical effect in the observation group was better than that in the control group(P<0.05).
Conclusion
Sling exercise therapy can promote the standing position, walking ability and static balance ability of children with cerebral palsy.

Key words: Cerebral palsy, Spastic, Sling exercise therapy, Gross motor function, Activity of daily living, Plantar pressure test, Child