Purpose: The purpose of this study was to document feasibility, motor outcomes and parent reports of participation for young children with cerebral palsy (CP) who received parent-administered partial weight bearing treadmill training (PWBTT). Methods: Three nonambulatory children under the age of 3, participated in this single-system, multiple baseline study. All children had quadriplegic CP, one was Level III and 2 were Level IV using the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). Parents were trained to administer PWBTT 5 days/wk for 8min/day. Participants received 2, 3, or 4 months of PWBTT. Study duration was 6 months including baseline phase, intervention phase, and follow-up probe. Outcomes included: (1) % alternating and parallel steps, (2) Supported Walker Ambulation Performance Scale (SWAPS) scores, (3) the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) 88 and 66 scores, and (4) a participation questionnaire. Results: Parents of the 3 participants averaged 92% of the expected minuntes of PWBTT. One child had significant changes in alternating and parallel steps on the treadmill and a significant increase in SWAPS scores. All participants made greater changes on GMFM-88 scores for a 6-month periodm compared to published GMFM-88 data for children of similar ages and GMFCS levels. One participant made greater change on the GMFM-66, compared to published GMFM-66 data for children of a similar age and GMFCS level. Two of the 3 families reported a positive moderate change in their child’s participation in their family and communty. Conclusions: Although outcomes varied for the individual children, parent-administered PWBTT may be a feasible intervention to improve motor and participation outcomes for children with quadriplegic CP.
