http://www.newsobserver.com/122/story/500231.html

Title of Project: Enhancing Function, Fitness and Particpation in Persons with Cerebral Palsy

            Dr. Debbie Thorpe in the Division of Physical Therapy is conducting a study to examine the effects of either a structured aquatic exercise program or a structured treadmill training program on function and quality of life in persons with cerebral palsy, ages 12 – 20 years.  The study is being conducted at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  Exercise sites will be either at UNC-CH or within the surrounding community.
            Initially, the participants will be asked to participate in several hours of testing including tests of strength, balance, body composition, and mobility, as well as answering several questionnaires on self-perception and participation at UNC Memorial Hospital.  Each participant’s records will be kept confidential and he/she will be assigned a number for identification.  After initial testing, the participant will be randomly assigned to one of the fitness/activity-based intervention groups.  Participants will meet three times per week for 1 hour over a 10- week period and will be assigned a personal coach who will assist them in the exercise program each day. After 10 weeks, the participants will be retested.  Six months after they are done with the exercise programs, participants will be tested once again to determine if they have maintained the gains from the participation in the 10-week fitness and exercise program.
            All programs are free of charge to the participants and each participant will receive monetary compensation for each exercise and test session for the duration of the program.  Subjects will be required to provide their own transportation to the exercise and testing sites.
            This study was approved March 21, 2006 by the Committee on the Protection of Rights of Human Subjects at the University of North Carolina.