The PEDALS stationary cycling intervention and health-related quality of life in children with cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled trial

Aim The aim of this study was to assess health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) following a stationary cycling intervention in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Method This was a phase I multisite randomized controlled trial with single blinding. HRQOL was evaluated using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory SF15 (PedsQL; children) and Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument (PODCI; parent proxy) before and after a 3‐month stationary cycling intervention. Sixty‐two children (29 male, 33 female; mean age 11y; range 7–18y) with spastic diplegic CP, classified as levels I to III on the Gross Motor Function Classification System, were enrolled. Paired and independent t‐tests were used to evaluate within‐ and between‐group differences respectively. Results Between‐group differences, favoring the cycling group, were found for PedsQL emotional functioning (p=0.046) and Parental PODCI treatment expectations scores (p=0.006). Between‐group differences were not found for other scales. Within‐group improvements were found in the cycling group: PedsQL total score (+5.8; p=0.006), psychosocial health summary (+6.9; p=0.008), and school functioning (+8.0; p=0.038). PODCI satisfaction with symptoms decreased significantly only in the control group (–12.0; p=0.046). Interpretation A beneficial influence of exercise on pediatric emotional well‐being and parental treatment expectations was found. The evidence was not strong for other aspects of HRQOL. Results support the positive relationship between physical fitness and emotional well‐being in the general population. A child’s perception is important when examining change in his or her emotional well‐being due to intervention. This article is commented on by Kurian on pages 587‐588 of this issue