Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 14, 2026
Repeated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined with Action Observation Training in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy
Published on: August 9, 2024
Analysis of the correlation between three methods used in the assessment of children with cerebral palsy
Marianna Romei1, Manuela Galli, Elisa Fazzi
1Department of Bioengineering, Polytechnic of Milan, Italy. romei@biomed.polimi.it
Insights
This study found strong correlations between gait analysis, MRI, and Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) scores in children with cerebral palsy (CP). These findings link objective gait measures to clinical assessments for better CP evaluation.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Biomechanical Engineering
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) presents diverse motor challenges, necessitating comprehensive diagnostic approaches.
- Gait analysis, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) are key tools in CP assessment.
- Understanding the interrelationships between these diagnostic modalities can refine patient evaluation and treatment planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlations between quantitative gait analysis, neuroimaging findings via MRI, and functional motor outcomes measured by GMFM in children with CP.
- To establish the clinical utility of the Normalcy Index (NI) derived from gait analysis as a comparative metric against MRI and GMFM.
- To determine the strength of association between objective gait parameters and established clinical and radiological assessments in pediatric CP.
Main Methods:
- Gait analysis was performed on 21 children diagnosed with CP (mean age 6 years).
- The Normalcy Index (NI) was calculated from gait analysis data to quantify gait deviations.
- Correlation analyses were conducted between the NI, MRI findings, and GMFM scores.
Main Results:
- A significant correlation was observed between the Normalcy Index (NI) from gait analysis and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) results.
- A strong negative correlation (r=-0.76) was found between the NI and Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) scores.
- These results indicate a robust relationship between objective gait parameters and established clinical evaluation tools.
Conclusions:
- Gait analysis, particularly using the Normalcy Index, demonstrates a strong relationship with both MRI findings and GMFM scores in children with CP.
- This study validates the integration of gait analysis as a complementary tool alongside MRI and GMFM for a more holistic assessment of motor function in CP.
- The findings support the use of gait analysis in clinical practice to enhance the understanding and management of cerebral palsy.
Abstract:
The primary aim of this study was to assess the correlations between gait analysis, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) scores in children with cerebral palsy (CP). These common diagnostic tools were used to evaluate 21 children affected by CP (mean age: 6 years, range: 5-13 years; 8 females and 13 males; 5 left hemiplegics, 4 right hemiplegics, 12 diplegics). In particular, in order to compare gait analysis data with other diagnostic evaluations, the Normalcy Index (NI) was used. The results showed a good correlation between the NI and the results of MRI, and between NI and the GMFM score (r=-0.76). Therefore, this investigation demonstrated that there exists a strong relationship between gait analysis and other clinical evaluation tools.
