Physical Activity for improving cardiovascular fitness and respiratory function in children presenting with cerebral palsy GMFCS levels IV and V:  a systematic review - preliminary findings.

Lieselotte Corten; Brenda Morrow; Veena Raigangar; Leonard Henry Joseph; Anna Bowerman; Anri Human

doi:10.59481/197311

Abstract

Aim: This systematic review aims to explore how PA can improve the cardiorespiratory outcomes of non-ambulatory children with CP.
Methodology: This systematic review (PROSPERO CRD420250653485) includes experimental studies investigating the impact of all forms of PA in children, younger than 18 years of age, with a diagnosis of non-ambulatory CP (GMFCS IV-V). PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, PEDro, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Clinical Trials registry were searched; with keywords related to children, CP, non-ambulatory/GMFCS IV-V, and PA. Studies published from 2005 onwards in English, French, German, Dutch, or Afrikaans were included. The primary outcomes for the review are cardiovascular fitness and respiratory function. Two independent reviewers screened titles, abstracts, and full texts for eligibility. Disagreements were resolved through
consensus, with a third reviewer if necessary. A standardised data extraction tool will be completed by two independent researchers.
Results: Database searches identified 1293 hits, of which 496 duplicates were removed and 718 excluded based on titles and abstracts. One full text was unavailable. Seventy-eight full texts and protocols were sourced, identifying 12 studies, 1 abstract and 7 ongoing trials for inclusion, 1 awaiting arbitration. A total of 399 children with CP (120 GMFCS IV, 27 GMFCS V) aged 3-18 years were included in the studies. Robot assisted gait training was the most common form of PA (n= 6); the 6-minute walk/run test the most preferred outcome measure (n= 7). [data analysis ongoing].
Conclusions / Implications: This systematic review targets an under-researched population of non-ambulatory children with CP, with GMFCS V significantly underrepresented. More research is warranted in this population group, investigating
habitual PA and outcome measures appropriate for non-ambulatory children.

Original language	English
Pages	14-15
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.59481/197311
Publication status	Published - 4 Nov 2025
Event	APCP National Conference - Convene Conference Centre London , London, United Kingdom Duration: 3 Oct 2025 → 4 Oct 2025 https://apcp.csp.org.uk/news-events/events/events-listing/apcp-national-conference-2025-igniting-inspiring-excellence

Conference

Conference	APCP National Conference
Country/Territory	United Kingdom
City	London
Period	3/10/25 → 4/10/25
Internet address	https://apcp.csp.org.uk/news-events/events/events-listing/apcp-national-conference-2025-igniting-inspiring-excellence

Access to Document

10.59481/197311Licence: Unspecified

Cite this

Corten, L., Morrow, B., Raigangar, V., Henry Joseph, L., Bowerman, A., & Human, A. (2025). Physical Activity for improving cardiovascular fitness and respiratory function in children presenting with cerebral palsy GMFCS levels IV and V: a systematic review - preliminary findings.. 14-15. Abstract from APCP National Conference, London, United Kingdom. https://doi.org/10.59481/197311

@conference{aa6b0a99af394a67ae1fdcdaa3034814,

title = "Physical Activity for improving cardiovascular fitness and respiratory function in children presenting with cerebral palsy GMFCS levels IV and V: a systematic review - preliminary findings.",

abstract = "Aim: This systematic review aims to explore how PA can improve the cardiorespiratory outcomes of non-ambulatory children with CP. Methodology: This systematic review (PROSPERO CRD420250653485) includes experimental studies investigating the impact of all forms of PA in children, younger than 18 years of age, with a diagnosis of non-ambulatory CP (GMFCS IV-V). PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, PEDro, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Clinical Trials registry were searched; with keywords related to children, CP, non-ambulatory/GMFCS IV-V, and PA. Studies published from 2005 onwards in English, French, German, Dutch, or Afrikaans were included. The primary outcomes for the review are cardiovascular fitness and respiratory function. Two independent reviewers screened titles, abstracts, and full texts for eligibility. Disagreements were resolved through consensus, with a third reviewer if necessary. A standardised data extraction tool will be completed by two independent researchers. Results: Database searches identified 1293 hits, of which 496 duplicates were removed and 718 excluded based on titles and abstracts. One full text was unavailable. Seventy-eight full texts and protocols were sourced, identifying 12 studies, 1 abstract and 7 ongoing trials for inclusion, 1 awaiting arbitration. A total of 399 children with CP (120 GMFCS IV, 27 GMFCS V) aged 3-18 years were included in the studies. Robot assisted gait training was the most common form of PA (n= 6); the 6-minute walk/run test the most preferred outcome measure (n= 7). [data analysis ongoing]. Conclusions / Implications: This systematic review targets an under-researched population of non-ambulatory children with CP, with GMFCS V significantly underrepresented. More research is warranted in this population group, investigating habitual PA and outcome measures appropriate for non-ambulatory children.",

author = "Lieselotte Corten and Brenda Morrow and Veena Raigangar and \{Henry Joseph\}, Leonard and Anna Bowerman and Anri Human",

year = "2025",

month = nov,

day = "4",

doi = "10.59481/197311",

language = "English",

pages = "14--15",

note = "APCP National Conference ; Conference date: 03-10-2025 Through 04-10-2025",

url = "https://apcp.csp.org.uk/news-events/events/events-listing/apcp-national-conference-2025-igniting-inspiring-excellence",

}

Corten, L, Morrow, B, Raigangar, V , Henry Joseph, L, Bowerman, A & Human, A 2025, 'Physical Activity for improving cardiovascular fitness and respiratory function in children presenting with cerebral palsy GMFCS levels IV and V: a systematic review - preliminary findings.', APCP National Conference, London, United Kingdom, 3/10/25 - 4/10/25 pp. 14-15. https://doi.org/10.59481/197311

Physical Activity for improving cardiovascular fitness and respiratory function in children presenting with cerebral palsy GMFCS levels IV and V: a systematic review - preliminary findings. / Corten, Lieselotte; Morrow, Brenda; Raigangar, Veena et al.
2025. 14-15 Abstract from APCP National Conference, London, United Kingdom.

Research output: Contribution to conference › Abstract › peer-review

TY - CONF

T1 - Physical Activity for improving cardiovascular fitness and respiratory function in children presenting with cerebral palsy GMFCS levels IV and V

T2 - APCP National Conference

AU - Corten, Lieselotte

AU - Morrow, Brenda

AU - Raigangar, Veena

AU - Henry Joseph, Leonard

AU - Bowerman, Anna

AU - Human, Anri

PY - 2025/11/4

Y1 - 2025/11/4

N2 - Aim: This systematic review aims to explore how PA can improve the cardiorespiratory outcomes of non-ambulatory children with CP. Methodology: This systematic review (PROSPERO CRD420250653485) includes experimental studies investigating the impact of all forms of PA in children, younger than 18 years of age, with a diagnosis of non-ambulatory CP (GMFCS IV-V). PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, PEDro, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Clinical Trials registry were searched; with keywords related to children, CP, non-ambulatory/GMFCS IV-V, and PA. Studies published from 2005 onwards in English, French, German, Dutch, or Afrikaans were included. The primary outcomes for the review are cardiovascular fitness and respiratory function. Two independent reviewers screened titles, abstracts, and full texts for eligibility. Disagreements were resolved through consensus, with a third reviewer if necessary. A standardised data extraction tool will be completed by two independent researchers. Results: Database searches identified 1293 hits, of which 496 duplicates were removed and 718 excluded based on titles and abstracts. One full text was unavailable. Seventy-eight full texts and protocols were sourced, identifying 12 studies, 1 abstract and 7 ongoing trials for inclusion, 1 awaiting arbitration. A total of 399 children with CP (120 GMFCS IV, 27 GMFCS V) aged 3-18 years were included in the studies. Robot assisted gait training was the most common form of PA (n= 6); the 6-minute walk/run test the most preferred outcome measure (n= 7). [data analysis ongoing]. Conclusions / Implications: This systematic review targets an under-researched population of non-ambulatory children with CP, with GMFCS V significantly underrepresented. More research is warranted in this population group, investigating habitual PA and outcome measures appropriate for non-ambulatory children.

AB - Aim: This systematic review aims to explore how PA can improve the cardiorespiratory outcomes of non-ambulatory children with CP. Methodology: This systematic review (PROSPERO CRD420250653485) includes experimental studies investigating the impact of all forms of PA in children, younger than 18 years of age, with a diagnosis of non-ambulatory CP (GMFCS IV-V). PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, PEDro, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Clinical Trials registry were searched; with keywords related to children, CP, non-ambulatory/GMFCS IV-V, and PA. Studies published from 2005 onwards in English, French, German, Dutch, or Afrikaans were included. The primary outcomes for the review are cardiovascular fitness and respiratory function. Two independent reviewers screened titles, abstracts, and full texts for eligibility. Disagreements were resolved through consensus, with a third reviewer if necessary. A standardised data extraction tool will be completed by two independent researchers. Results: Database searches identified 1293 hits, of which 496 duplicates were removed and 718 excluded based on titles and abstracts. One full text was unavailable. Seventy-eight full texts and protocols were sourced, identifying 12 studies, 1 abstract and 7 ongoing trials for inclusion, 1 awaiting arbitration. A total of 399 children with CP (120 GMFCS IV, 27 GMFCS V) aged 3-18 years were included in the studies. Robot assisted gait training was the most common form of PA (n= 6); the 6-minute walk/run test the most preferred outcome measure (n= 7). [data analysis ongoing]. Conclusions / Implications: This systematic review targets an under-researched population of non-ambulatory children with CP, with GMFCS V significantly underrepresented. More research is warranted in this population group, investigating habitual PA and outcome measures appropriate for non-ambulatory children.

U2 - 10.59481/197311

DO - 10.59481/197311

M3 - Abstract

SP - 14

EP - 15

Y2 - 3 October 2025 through 4 October 2025

ER -

Physical Activity for improving cardiovascular fitness and respiratory function in children presenting with cerebral palsy GMFCS levels IV and V: a systematic review - preliminary findings.

Abstract

Conference

Access to Document

Fingerprint

Cite this