Effects of an aquatic program on gross motor function of children with spastic cerebral palsy

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of a 10-week aquatic program on the gross motor function, on the range of motion and on spasticity of childrenwith cerebral palsy (CP). Six students served as subjects for the experimental group and another 6 were assigned to the control group. The aquatic program was taking place twice a week and consisted of a warm up, the main training session and a cool down phase. Measuring instruments were the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) (dimensions D and E), a goniometer and the modified Ashworth Scale. Pre-test and Post-test were executed before and after the intervention program. Significant interaction effect was found with respect to: the active shoulder flexion (p=.052), the active shoulder abduction (p=.052), the passive hip abduction (p=.001) and the passive knee extension (p=.045). Interaction effect was found for spasticity of the hip adductors (p=.002) and knee flexors (p=.049). Results of the present study indicated that an aquatic program might have a positive effect in gross motor function as well as in range of motion and spasticity in students with spastic cerebral palsy.