Changes in body composition and safety of exercise for individuals with severe cerebral palsy: single-group pre-post observational study

[Purpose] This study was a pilot investigation. The purpose is to examine short-term longitudinal changes in limb skeletal muscle mass and water content in participants with severe cerebral palsy and examine the safety of an exercise intervention in participants, as a single-group pre-post observational study. [Participants and Methods] The participants were 11 individuals. The survey period was set to 6 months. Body composition was assessed using the skeletal muscle mass index and extracellular water/total body water ratio. The first 3 months served as a non-intervention period, followed by a 3-month intervention period involving passive stretching and postural changes. [Results] extracellular water/total body water levels in the trunk and the right lower limb significantly increased at 3 and 6 months compared with the values at the start (p<0.05) (ηp2=0.58 and 0.49, respectively). The skeletal muscle mass index did not show any significant changes and remained very low. Within the 6-month observation period, edema progression was detectable, but measurable declines in muscle mass were not, suggesting that longer follow-up periods are likely needed to capture longitudinal changes in skeletal muscle in severe cerebral palsy. [Conclusion] The exercise did not show any significant impacts. Physical therapists should continue exploring effective way to improve the status of their body composition.