Correlation Between Muscle Strength, Pulmonary Function and Respiratory Muscle in Children with Cerebral Palsy

Impact of two different pulmonary rehabilitation methods in children with down syndrome

PURPOSE

To investigate and compare the effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation of respiratory muscles with that of inspiratory muscle training as a preventive measure on respiratory muscle strength, chest expansion, spirometry, and functional capacity in children with Down syndrome.

METHODS

Forty-five Down syndrome participants with an age ranged from 10 to 13 years were enrolled. There were distributed into three groups. The study group A (n = 15) underwent proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation of respiratory muscles while study group B (n = 15) underwent inspiratory muscle training. Third group C (n = 15) was a control group. The three groups received aerobic exercises using the bicycle ergometer for 20 min, 5 times/week for 12 successive weeks. The treatment program for both study groups was conducted for 20-30 min, 5 times/week for 12 successive weeks. Measurements of respiratory muscle strength (MIP, MEP), chest expansion, spirometry test (VC, FEV1, PEFR, MVV) and 6 min walk test were measured pre and post treatment.

RESULTS

The post treatment mean values of all investigated variables were significantly increased in both study groups with higher effect to group underwent proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation of respiratory muscles.

CONCLUSION

Both proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation of respiratory muscles and inspiratory muscle training are effective in children with Down syndrome on improving respiratory muscle strength, chest expansion, spirometry and functional capacity with superior effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation.

Upper extremity resistance exercise with elastic bands for respiratory function in children with cerebral palsy

[Purpose] We investigated the effects of upper extremity resistance exercise with elastic bands on respiratory function in children with cerebral palsy. [Subjects and Methods] Fifteen children were divided into two groups: the experimental (n=8) and control (n=7) groups. Both groups performed general exercises for 30 minutes per session, two times a week during the intervention period. The experimental group performed an additional upper extremity resistance exercise with elastic bands for 20–30 minutes per session, twice weekly for 8 weeks. Pulmonary function, and respiratory muscle and grip strength were measured before and after the exercise. [Results] There was no significant difference in forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in one second, the ratio of forced expiratory volume in one second to forced vital capacity, and peak expiratory flow before and after the intervention in either group. The increment of maximal expiratory pressure was significantly greater in the experimental group, compared with the control group. In addition, grip strength was significantly increased in the experimental group after the intervention than before. [Conclusion] We found that upper extremity resistance exercise with elastic bands has a positive effect on expiration and improves grip strength in children with cerebral palsy.