The Efficacy of Physical Activity or Exercise Among Individuals with Cerebral Palsy: An Umbrella Review of Systematic Reviews

Authors

Majed M. Alhumaid, King Faisal University
Faris Yahya I. Asiri, King Faisal University
Mohamed A. Said, King Faisal University
Justin A. Haegele, Old Dominion UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2025

DOI

10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103228

Publication Title

Complementary Therapies in Medicine

Volume

93

Pages

103228 (1-8)

Abstract

Introduction

Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common childhood disability, affecting 1.5-3 per 1000 live births. Physical exercises have been shown to improve muscle and limb outcomes in CP. This systematic review critically appraises existing systematic reviews on the effects of physical activity and exercise on physical, functional, and psychosocial outcomes in individuals with CP compared to those without.

Methods

Using a PICO framework, the question was: In patients with CP, do physical activity and exercise improve muscle- and limb-related outcomes compared to no intervention or usual care? PubMed, Cochrane, ISI Web of Science, and Embase were searched for systematic reviews meeting inclusion criteria. Seven reviews focusing on exercise-related outcomes in CP were synthesized.

Results

Exergaming significantly improved fine motor dexterity (SMD = 3.12) but not gross manual dexterity. Progressive resistance and general physical activity increased muscle strength (SMD = 0.59), while aerobic exercise showed mixed results. Task-oriented training led to large improvements in gross motor function (SMD = 6.04-11.05) and functional independence (SMD = 6.44). VR-based and aerobic interventions had modest or nonsignificant effects on mobility, balance, and walking. Adverse events were infrequently reported and generally mild. Task-oriented and VR-assisted training showed the most consistent benefits, though heterogeneity and incomplete reporting limit conclusions.

Conclusion

Physical exercises, particularly task-oriented and VR-assisted training, improve motor and limb functions in CP. Future research with longer follow-up, larger samples, and better safety reporting is needed to confirm clinical impact.

Funding

The King Salman Center for Disability Research, Grant/Award Number: KSRG-2024-036. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42025646412.

Rights

© 2025 The Authors.

This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) License.

Comments

A Corrigendum was published, available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103240

Original Publication Citation

Alhumaid, M. M., Asiri, F. Y. I., Said, M. A., & Haegele, J. A. (2025). The efficacy of physical activity or exercise among individuals with cerebral palsy: An umbrella review of systematic reviews. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 93, 1-8, Article 103228. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2025.103228

ORCID

0000-0002-8580-4782 (Haegele)

Repository Citation

Alhumaid, Majed M.; Asiri, Faris Yahya I.; Said, Mohamed A.; and Haegele, Justin A., "The Efficacy of Physical Activity or Exercise Among Individuals with Cerebral Palsy: An Umbrella Review of Systematic Reviews" (2025). Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications. 212.
https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/hms_fac_pubs/212