Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39749801›Full record

Observational studyPM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitation2025

Exploring the role of the rock climbing Treadwall as a novel therapy tool in physical rehabilitation.

Kathryne Bartolo, Katelyn Prais, Ella D'Amico, Ghaith J Androwis, Jenfu Cheng, Hannah Aura Shoval

Abstract readObservational Study
In one paragraph

Observational study in PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitation, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Exploring the role of the rock climbing Treadwall as a novel therapy tool in physical rehabilitation.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitation · 2025
    Observational
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Kathryne BartoloDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA.
Katelyn PraisChildren's Specialized Hospital, Mountainside, New Jersey, USA.
Ella D'AmicoDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0001-8991-6546
Ghaith J AndrowisKessler Foundation, West Orange, New Jersey, USA.
Jenfu ChengDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA.
Hannah Aura ShovalDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundRock climbing offers numerous health benefits, but accessibility and safety concerns limit its therapeutic use, especially for individuals with disabilities. No prior studies have explored the potential benefits of integrating the Treadwall, a rotating climbing wall with improved accessibility and safety, into rehabilitation protocols.

objectiveTo evaluate the safety and feasibility of implementing a Treadwall climbing intervention as a novel therapy tool for children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. Additionally, we seek to explore potential functional benefits derived from the Treadwall intervention.

designThis prospective, observational, single-site study assessed Treadwall training in a cohort of children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy while attending a 3-week intensive therapy program.

settingThe study was conducted at the BECOME Program in Children's Specialized Hospital, Mountainside, NJ.

participantsA total of 10 participants, aged 4 to 9 years, diagnosed with hemiparesis, were enrolled, with nine completing the intervention.

interventionsThe intervention involved 15 10-minute climbing sessions during the 3-week intensive therapy program. Participants' climbing distance, intensity, and active mobility rate were recorded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Primary outcome measures included climbing distance, intensity, and active mobility rate. Secondary measures, the Assisting Hand Assessment (AHA) and Melbourne Assessment of Unilateral Upper Limb Function, were collected to assess upper limb function.

resultsThe study demonstrated significant improvements in distance climbed (p < .01), intensity (p < .05), and active mobility rate (p < .05). Participants showed enhanced upper limb function, indicated by improved AHA and Melbourne Assessment scores (p < .01). Qualitative therapist reports showed positive feedback regarding the Treadwall's potential benefits.

conclusionsThe study supports the feasibility and safety of using the rock climbing Treadwall as a novel therapy tool for children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. The intervention showed promising results in improving climbing skills, motor learning, and coordination. Future investigations should explore dosing and long-term outcomes to fully assess the Treadwall's therapeutic potential.

Indexed as

Cerebral PalsyExercise TherapyHemiplegiaMountaineeringPhysical Therapy ModalitiesChildChild, PreschoolFeasibility StudiesFemaleHumansMaleProspective StudiesTreatment Outcome

Identifiers

PMID39749801
PMCPMC11974484

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.