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Motor strategies in standing up in leukomalacic spastic diplegia
Leena D Mewasingh1, Audrey Demil, Florence J C Christiaens
1Department of Neurology, Children's University Hospital Queen Fabiola, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 15 Avenue J J Crocq, 1020 Brussels, Belgium. lmewasingh@belgacom.net
Insights
Children with spastic diplegia exhibit reduced movement variability when standing up. A novel lower limb pattern was identified, aiding in understanding their motor control challenges.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Movement Science
Background:
- Impaired postural control in spastic diplegia affects whole-body movement organization.
- Periventricular leukomalacia is a common cause of spastic diplegia in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze segmental motor patterns during the sit-to-stand movement in children with spastic diplegia.
- To compare motor patterns between children with spastic diplegia and typically developing children.
- To identify unique movement patterns in spastic diplegia.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a visual analysis scale for developmental research.
- Examined specific movement patterns in upper limbs, trunk (axis), and lower limbs.
- Compared movement patterns in ten children with spastic diplegia and fourteen unimpaired children.
Main Results:
- Children with spastic diplegia used previously described movement patterns but with significantly reduced variability.
- A novel, stereotyped lower limb movement pattern was observed in four patients.
- The study systematically characterized the limited movement repertoire in spastic diplegia.
Conclusions:
- The visual analysis scale effectively characterizes motor control differences in spastic diplegia.
- Reduced movement variability and novel patterns offer insights into the pathophysiology of spastic diplegia.
- Findings contribute to a better understanding of motor control deficits in this population.
Abstract:
In spastic diplegia impaired postural control jeopardizes the organization of whole-body movements. We studied segmental motor patterns involved in standing up from a supine position in ten children with spastic diplegia associated with periventricular leukomalacia and 14 unimpaired children using a visual analysis scale previously devised for developmental research. This approach examines specific movement patterns in upper limbs, axis and lower limbs. We found that children with spastic diplegia use movement patterns described in normal children but with markedly reduced intra- and interindividual variability. One previously undescribed stereotyped lower limb pattern was observed in four patients. This approach can systematically characterize the limited repertoire of movement in patients with spastic diplegia and therefore contribute to a better understanding of motor control.