SynthesisPeerJ2026
Overall and modality-specific exercise doses for motor skill improvement in cerebral palsy: a systematic review and Bayesian network dose-response meta-analysis.
Synthesis in PeerJ, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled 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.
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.
Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Optimal exercise dose and training modalities for improving gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis of RCTs.European journal of pediatrics · 2026Pooled it
- Home-based telerehabilitation on motor function in youth with cerebral palsy: systematic review and meta-analysis.Pediatric research · 2026Pooled it
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
3 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Objective: To examine the nonlinear dose-response of overall and modality-specific exercise interventions on motor skill improvement in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) using a Bayesian model-based network meta-analysis. Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving participants aged ≤18 years with cerebral palsy (CP) were retrieved from five databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, SPORTDiscus; up to Aug 10, 2025). Gross motor function, assessed using the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-66/88), was the main outcome. Exercise dose was standardized as metabolic equivalents (METs) × minutes per week, and model-based network meta-analysis (MBNMA) was used to estimate overall and modality-specific nonlinear effects. Study quality and evidence certainty were evaluated using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale (PEDro) and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) framework. Results: Twenty randomized controlled trials were included. Most studies applied aerobic exercise, body control training, or resistance training. The mean PEDro score was 6.7, indicating moderate-high quality. Overall, exercise improved GMFM scores with a small-to-moderate effect (standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.295; 95% credible interval (CrI) 0.016-0.613). The dose-response relationship showed an inverted U-shape, peaking near 560 METs × min/week, with stable gains between 330-560. By modality, body control training yielded the most consistent improvements at ~330 METs × min/week (SMD = 0.313; 95% CrI 0.014-0.666), while aerobic and resistance training showed smaller and less stable effects that declined at higher doses. Evidence certainty was moderate, with minimal publication bias. Conclusion: Exercise improved motor function in children with cerebral palsy, with optimal benefits observed at 330-560 METs × min/week. Body control training around 330 METs × min/week produced the most stable gains, whereas aerobic and resistance training declined at higher doses. These findings highlight the importance of defining effective dose ranges; larger multicenter RCTs with standardized dose reporting are needed to refine clinical guidelines.
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Registered trials
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.