Effect of robotic training on the mobility of children with cerebral palsy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Authors

Fu-An Yang, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
Ya-Chu Shih, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
Li-Fong Lin, Taipei Neuroscience Institute, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
Chih-Wei Peng, School of Gerontology Health Management, College of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
Chien-Hung Lai, Taipei Neuroscience Institute, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
Tsan-Hon Liou, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei
Reuben Escorpizo, Department of Rehabilitation and Movement Science, University of Vermont, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Burlington, VT, USA
Hung-Chou Chen, Taipei Neuroscience Institute, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, TaiwanFollow

Abstract

In this study, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the effect of robotic training on the mobility of children with cerebral palsy. The PubMed, Cochrane Library, PEDro, and Embase databases were searched for relevant studies from their inception to June 17, 2023. We selected studies that (1) were randomized controlled trials (RCTs), (2) included patients with cerebral palsy aged years, (3) compared robotic training with conventional rehabilitation alone, and (4) reported mobility outcomes. Continuous variables are expressed as standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 software. We included 10 RCTs with a total of 298 patients. The intervention groups significantly outperformed the control groups in terms of cadence (SMD = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.18, 1.36; P = 0.01). No adverse events were noted in the included studies. In addition, no improvement was observed in walking speed, walking endurance, Gross Motor Function Measure, WeeFIM score, or any other spatiotemporal gait parameter. Additional high-quality, large-scale RCTs are required to confirm the benefits and long-term effects of this intervention.

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Recommended Citation

Yang, Fu-An; Shih, Ya-Chu; Lin, Li-Fong; Peng, Chih-Wei; Lai, Chien-Hung; Liou, Tsan-Hon; Escorpizo, Reuben; and Chen, Hung-Chou (2024) "Effect of robotic training on the mobility of children with cerebral palsy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials," Rehabilitation Practice and Science: Vol. 2024: Iss. 1, Article 9.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.6315/3005-3846.2241
Available at: https://rps.researchcommons.org/journal/vol2024/iss1/9