The Effectiveness of Physical Activity and Nutrition Interventions for Children and Adolescents With Cerebral Palsy to Improve Physical Health and Cognitive Outcomes: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Purpose: Using systematic review methodology, we set out to describe the evidence for physical activity and nutrition interventions for children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) as compared with no intervention or exposure that reports physical health and cognitive outcomes. Method: Quantitative, primary studies that explored the effectiveness of these interventions, replicable in school and home contexts, in comparison to any other or no intervention or exposure in children and adolescents between the ages of 6–18 years old with a diagnosis of cerebral palsy were included (PROSPERO CRD42022322143). Risk of bias was assessed by Joanna Briggs Institute and QualSyst. Results: A total of 16 international heterogeneous studies (13 physical activity and 3 nutrition) with interventions ranging from a single exposure to 8 months, with quality 58% to 89% and effectiveness, D = 0.03 to 0.97, were included. Outcome measures were varied. Conclusion: The review brings together a number of high-quality studies on physical activity and nutrition interventions and promising findings of impact on cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and cognitive outcomes. Evidence supports implementation of these interventions in community contexts. Future research would benefit from agreement on the use of core outcome measures for meta-synthesis.