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Cerebral Palsy, SpasticNCT03863197

Progressive Supervised Home-based Strength Training in Children With Spastic Cerebral Palsy

A study testing Progressive strength training in people with Cerebral Palsy, Spastic, run by Universitaire Ziekenhuizen KU Leuven at 2 sites in Belgium.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

A randomized controlled trail will be carried out to investigate the effect of a 12-week supervised home-based progressive strength intervention in children with spastic cerebral palsy aged 5-11 years. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 5 to 11 years
Conditions the study is for
Cerebral Palsy, Spastic
What is being tested?
Progressive strength training
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
49 participants
Where
2 sitesBelgium
Study dates
1 Aug 2018to 1 Jun 2021
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 5 to 11 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Child

Who may be able to join

  • Confirmed diagnosis of SCP
  • Aged 5-12 years
  • GMFCS levels I-III (GMFCS = Gross Motor Function Classification Score, expressing the overall functional level of impairment)
  • Sufficient cooperation to comprehend and complete the test procedure

Who cannot join

  • Non-ambulatory
  • Botulinum toxin A injections six months prior to enrollment
  • Lower limb surgery two years prior to enrollment
  • Presence of ataxia or dystonia
  • Cognitive problems that impede measurements
  • Severe co-morbidities (severe epilepsy, non-correctable visual impairment, autism spectrum disorders, mental problems that prevent comprehensiveness of the tasks)

Trial locations and contacts

2 sites in 1 country.

Belgium2 sites
  • Universiteit Gent

    Ghent, 9000

  • KU Leuven

    Leuven, 3000

Other trials in Belgium

About this study

Official title: Treatment Algorithms Based on Muscle and Tendon Morphology - Progressive Supervised Home-based Strength Training in Children With Spastic Cerebral Palsy

A randomized controlled trail will be carried out to investigate the effect of a 12-week supervised home-based progressive strength intervention in children with spastic cerebral palsy aged 5-11 years. The results of this strength intervention aiming for increased strength and muscle hypertrophy will serve as input for a clinical decision making framework based on muscle and tendon architecture.

Read the detailed description

Background: The alterations of morphological muscle and tendon properties are a primary determinant of the pathological muscle behaviour in spastic cerebral palsy (SCP). As treatments aim to reduce the progressive secondary problems, they are mainly directed at the muscle level. Muscle morphology features like volume, fascicle architecture and tendon properties are all responsive to treatment, but these treatment responses seem to be both patient and muscle-specific. Therefore, objective tools and protocols are needed for the evaluation of morphological muscle and tendon (MMT) properties in routine clinical practice. These are required to guide the patient-specific selection of appropriate, rationalized treatment choices and to determine the impact of these treatments on the MMT properties, the muscular impairment and function in children with SCP.

This intervention study is one out of three intervention studies focused on defining the effects of conservative treatments (strengthening, stretching and botulinum toxin injections) on muscle and tendon architecture. In this phase of the Treatment Algorithms based on Muscle and Tendon Morphology (TAMTA) project, we aim to develop specific guidelines for these treatment options linked to the MMT evaluation protocol. To achieve this goal, prediction models based on baseline MMT parameters for the prognosis of specific treatment outcomes will be developed from the data of the three intervention studies.

Aim: (1) determine whether the 12-week program of targeted progressive strengthening of the plantar flexors, the knee flexors and extensors leads to changes in the MMT properties of medial gastrocnemius, semitendinosus and rectus femoris, in the muscle strength and in gross motor function; and (2) determine the correlation between baseline MMT properties and the changes in the outcome parameters.

Methods/Design: A randomized controlled trial will be conducted in 40 ambulatory children with a confirmed diagnosis of SCP between 5 and 11 years of age. Participants will be randomized to the intervention group (who will additionally receive the strengthening program while continuing their usual care) or to the waitlist-control group (who will continue their usual care without additional treatment) using the randomization by minimization method (with influencing characteristics age and GMFCS level). Participants in the control group will be able to participate in the intervention after the control period. The MMT parameters of the medial gastrocnemius, tibialis anterior, semitendinosus and rectus femoris and the isometric and functional strength for the 4 related lower limb muscle groups (plantar flexors, dorsiflexors, knee flexors and knee extensors) as well as the gross motor function will be assessed before and after the 12-week program. After 6 weeks a short evaluation of the MMT parameters, isometric and functional strength will take place.

The change in primary outcome parameters before and after training of the intervention group will be compared to the data behaviour of the control group. Secondly, to explore the predictive value of specific baseline MMT parameters on treatment effect, both univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses will be conducted to identify significant predictive variables for the primary outcome parameters.

Being tested
Progressive strength training
Keywords
Cerebral Palsy, Spastic Cerebral Palsy, Progressive Strength Training, Muscle morphology
Medical subject headings
Cerebral Palsy

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Progressive strength trainingBehavioural

    Progressive Supervised Home-based Strength Training

Study groups in NCT03863197
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Intervention groupExperimentalDuring a 12-week period children receive 3-4 sessions of progressive strength training per week on top of the usual care. All children will be provided with an individualized training program and supporting equipment. One or 2 session per week will be performed under supervision of the physical therapist, whilst the remaining sessions will be performed at home. Progression is closely monitored by the principal investigator and training programs are adjusted if necessary.
Receives: Behavioral: Progressive strength training
Waitlist-control groupNo interventionThe waitlist-control group will continue their usual care without additional treatment for 12-weeks, followed by a 12-week period of progressive supervised home-based strength training.

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Change in Muscle Size Parameter

    Estimation of muscle volume by 3D freehand ultrasonography.

    Measured: baseline, post-intervention (12-weeks)

  2. Change in Muscle Length

    Estimation of muscle length parameters by 3D freehand ultrasonography from origo to muscle tendon junction.

    Measured: baseline, post-intervention (12-weeks)

  3. Change in Echogenicity Intensity

    Estimation of echogenicity intensity by 3D freehand ultrasonography on an 8-bit greyscale (256 values ranging from 0 to 255). Echogenicity intensity was defined over the whole muscle volume.

    Echogenicity intensity refers to the brightness of a muscle seen on the ultrasound image, which reflects how much sound is being bounced back (or "echoed") by the tissue. Higher echo-intensity (i.e., higher values) often indicates increased fat or fibrous tissue within the muscle and is therefore seen as a worse outcome. Whereas low echo-intensity (i.e., lower values) indicate less non-muscular tissue in the muscle, therefor higher quality and a better outcome.

    Measured: baseline, post-intervention (12-weeks)

  4. Change in Isometric Muscle Strength

    Evaluation of isometric muscle strength by Instrumented Weakness Assessment.

    Measured: baseline, post-intervention (12-weeks)

  5. Change in Functional Muscle Strength - Muscle Endurance

    Evaluation of functional muscle strength by 30-sec maximum repetition tests of the Adapted Functional Strength measure.

    For unilateral exercises (lateral step-up and unilateral heel raise) all affected legs were assessed.

    Measured: baseline, post-intervention (12-weeks)

  6. Change in Functional Muscle Strength - Maximum Jumping Distance

    Evaluation of standing long jump by the Adapted Functional Strength measure.

    Measured: baseline, post-intervention (12-weeks)

Secondary outcomes (2)
  1. Change in Gross Motor Function

    Evaluation of gross motor function by the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) item set. The GMFM is a standardized observational tool used to assess motor function in children with cerebral palsy by evaluating specific physical tasks across five areas: lying \& rolling, sitting, crawling \& kneeling, standing, and walking/running/jumping. Each item is scored on a 4-point scale: 0 (does not initiate), 1 (initiates but completes less than 10%), 2 (partially completes, 10% to less than 100%), and 3 (fully completes). Higher scores indicate better gross motor function, with a maximum of 66.

    Measured: baseline, post-intervention (12 weeks)

  2. Change in Walking Capacity

    Evaluation of walking capacity by assessing the distance covered during the 1-minute walking test

    Measured: baseline, post-intervention (12 weeks)

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted5 Mar 2019
  2. Study start1 Aug 2018
  3. Primary completion1 Jun 2021
  4. Study completion1 Jun 2021

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Crossover
Model description
Randomized controlled trial with waitlist control group
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
49 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT03863197
Sponsor's protocol ID
S59945
Status last verified
May 2025
First submitted
12 Feb 2019
Last updated
8 Jul 2025
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Undecided

Publications

  • Hanssen B, Peeters N, Vandekerckhove I, De Beukelaer N, Bar-On L, Molenaers G, Van Campenhout A, Degelaen M, Van den Broeck C, Calders P, Desloovere K. The Contribution of Decreased Muscle Size to Muscle Weakness in Children With Spastic Cerebral Palsy. Front Neurol. 2021 Jul 26;12:692582. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2021.692582. eCollection 2021.

    PubMed 34381414
  • Hanssen B, Peeters N, De Beukelaer N, Vannerom A, Peeters L, Molenaers G, Van Campenhout A, Deschepper E, Van den Broeck C, Desloovere K. Progressive resistance training for children with cerebral palsy: A randomized controlled trial evaluating the effects on muscle strength and morphology. Front Physiol. 2022 Oct 4;13:911162. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2022.911162. eCollection 2022.

    PubMed 36267577
  • Verreydt I, Vandekerckhove I, Stoop E, Peeters N, van Tittelboom V, Van de Walle P, Van den Hauwe M, Goemans N, De Waele L, Van Campenhout A, Hanssen B, Desloovere K. Instrumented strength assessment in typically developing children and children with a neural or neuromuscular disorder: A reliability, validity and responsiveness study. Front Physiol. 2022 Oct 19;13:855222. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2022.855222. eCollection 2022.

    PubMed 36338500
  • Vandekerckhove I, Hanssen B, Peeters N, Dewit T, De Beukelaer N, Van den Hauwe M, De Waele L, Van Campenhout A, De Groote F, Desloovere K. Anthropometric-related percentile curves for muscle size and strength of lower limb muscles of typically developing children. J Anat. 2025 Aug;247(2):348-362. doi: 10.1111/joa.14241. Epub 2025 Mar 17.

    PubMed 40098309

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Progressive strength training in people with Cerebral Palsy, Spastic, run by Universitaire Ziekenhuizen KU Leuven at 2 sites in Belgium.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 8 Jul 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 2 sites in Belgium. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 8 Jul 2025). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Change in Muscle Size Parameter (time frame: baseline, post-intervention (12-weeks)). The study lists 6 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT03863197, which also lists 4 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 8 Jul 2025.

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