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Published on: August 9, 2024
Effect of treadmill training with body weight support on gait and gross motor function in children with spastic
Rong-Ju Cherng1, Chuan-Fei Liu, Tin-Wai Lau
1Department of Physical Therapy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
Insights
Treadmill training with body weight support (TBWS) significantly improved gait and gross motor function in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP). This therapy enhanced stride length and Gross Motor Function Measure scores.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neurology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Spastic cerebral palsy (CP) affects motor function in children.
- Gait and gross motor function are key areas for therapeutic intervention in CP.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of treadmill training with body weight support (TBWS) on gait and gross motor function in children with spastic CP.
Main Methods:
- Eight children with spastic CP underwent assessments of gait parameters, Gross Motor Function Measure, muscle tone, and selective motor control.
- A crossover design with two treatment schedules (AAB and ABA) was used, comparing regular therapy (A) with TBWS plus regular therapy (B).
- Assessments were conducted after 12 weeks of treatment, with groups matched by Gross Motor Function Classification System level.
Main Results:
- TBWS treatment led to significant improvements in gait parameters, including increased stride length and reduced double-limb support.
- Gross Motor Function Measure scores (dimensions D, E, and total) also showed significant improvement with TBWS.
- No significant changes were observed in muscle tone or selective motor control.
Conclusions:
- Treadmill training with body weight support (TBWS) is an effective intervention for improving specific gait parameters in children with spastic CP.
- TBWS positively impacts gross motor function in this population.
- Further research may explore effects on muscle tone and selective motor control.
Objective:
To examine the effect of treadmill training with body weight support (TBWS) on gait and gross motor function in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP).
Design:
Eight children with spastic CP participated in the study. Their temporal-distance gait parameters, Gross Motor Function Measure, muscle tone, and selective motor control were assessed three times: two times under their regular therapeutic treatment (condition A), and one time after receiving the TBWS treatment in addition to their regular therapeutic treatments (condition B). There were two treatment schedules, AAB and ABA. Except for the first one (taken at study entry), the assessments were always taken after 12 wks of treatment. The children were equally divided into two groups and randomly assigned to the two schedules. The two groups were matched according to category of the Gross Motor Function Classification System.
Results:
The TBWS treatment significantly improved the children's gait (increases in stride length and decreases in double-limb support percentage of gait cycle) and their Gross Motor Function Measure (dimension D and E scores as well as the total score). No significant improvements on muscle tone or selective motor control were noted.
Conclusions:
The TBWS treatment improved some gait parameters and gross motor functions in children with spastic CP.
