Exploring the role of the rock climbing Treadwall as a novel therapy tool in physical rehabilitation.
Kathryne Bartolo, Katelyn Prais, Ella D'Amico and 3 others
PMID 39749801WHAT IT FOUND
Nine children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy used a rotating climbing wall for 10 minutes daily.
They climbed significantly farther and faster after three weeks. Upper limb function scores improved. The study confirms feasibility and safety but cannot prove the wall caused the gains.
Key findings
01Distance climbed increased by 107% and active mobility rate by 50% over 15 sessions.
02Scores on tests of unilateral upper limb function and assisting hand use improved significantly.
03Therapists reported the device was engaging but noted barriers including fatigue and fear of heights.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
Read the rest of this summary
You get three full summaries a month, free, and we do not ask for a card. Search, the TL;DRs and your library stay unlimited either way.
What it does not show
There was no control group. All children received intensive therapy in addition to the climbing, so it is impossible to know if the Treadwall caused the improvements or if they would have happened anyway. The sample size was very small (nine children), which limits the reliability of the results. The study only looked at upper limb and climbing outcomes. It did not measure lower limb function or daily living activities. One participant was excluded from the data analysis due to missing scores.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read the significant improvements in upper limb function as proof that the Treadwall caused them. The children were also receiving intensive constraint-induced movement therapy and bimanual training at the same time. The contribution of the climbing wall alone cannot be separated from the rest of the therapy.