Influence of aerobic exercise on inhibitory control of executive functions in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy: A randomized controlled trial

Objective This study investigates the influence of aerobic exercise training on inhibitory control of executive functions in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. Design Single-blind randomized controlled trial. Setting Outpatient Physical Therapy Clinic. Participants Children aged 7–11 with left-sided hemiplegic cerebral palsy with emotional and behavioral dysregulation evidenced by scores >28 on Paediatric Symptom Checklist and GMFCS I or II ( n = 60). Intervention Participants were randomly allocated into two equal groups. The control group received standard-of-care physical therapy for 1 h, and the aerobic exercise group received standard-of-care physical therapy for 30 min and moderate-intensity continuous exercise on a bicycle ergometer for 30 min. All groups received treatment three times a week for 12 weeks. Main Measures The Eriksen Flanker test and Stroop Color–Word test were used to assess inhibitory control of executive function at the baseline and after 12 weeks. Results Differences between pre- and post-treatment values in the exercise group showed significant improvement in Flanker response accuracy and Stroop response accuracy ( p = 0.001) and significant decreases in Flanker congruent reaction time and Stroop congruent reaction time ( p < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences between both groups in Flanker incongruent reaction time and Stroop incongruent reaction time ( p > 0.05). Conclusions Aerobic exercise has a promising effect on inhibitory control of executive function in children with left-sided hemiplegic cerebral palsy.