Objective To explore the clinical efficacy of multi-channel functional electrical stimulation cycling ergometer for children with spastic cerebral palsy.

Methods A total of 60 children with rehabilitation treatment for spastic cerebral palsy in Outpatient Department were selected and randomly divided into observation group and control group, with 30 cases in each group. The control group received conventional rehabilitation treatments such as exercise therapy, occupational therapy and Chinese medicine massage, while the observation group received multi-channel functional electrical stimulation cycling ergometer training on the basis of the conventional rehabilitation treatments. Before treatment and 12 weeks after treatment, the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-88), Peabody Developmental Measure Scale-Gross Motor (PDMS-GM), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and Activities of Daily Living (ADL) were used to assess the gross motor function, balance function, and activities of daily living of the children in both groups.

Results Before treatment, there were no significant differences in GMFM-88 (D area, E area score, and total score), PDMS-GM (posture score, mobility score, and manipulation score), BBS, and ADL scores between the two groups (P>0.05). After treatment, the GMFM-88 (D area, E area score and total score), PDMS-GM (posture score, mobility score and manipulation score), BBS and ADL scores in both groups improved significantly compared with those before treatment, and all the scores in the observation group were significantly better than those in the control group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion Multi-channel functional electrical stimulation cycling ergometer can effectively improve the gross motor function, balance function, and activities of daily living of children with spastic cerebral palsy.