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Published on: June 5, 2019
Method of analysing the performance of self-paced and engine induced cycling in children with cerebral palsy
S Bar-Haim1, N Harries, L Copeliovitch
1Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel. netah@asaf.health.gov.il
Insights
This study developed a cycling analysis tool to quantify lower extremity function in children with cerebral palsy (CP). The tool effectively differentiates between children with CP and typically developing peers, aiding in treatment evaluation.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Pediatric Physical Therapy
- Neurology
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) significantly impacts motor function in children.
- Quantifying lower extremity function is crucial for assessing CP severity and treatment efficacy.
- Current assessment methods may not fully capture the nuances of motor control during dynamic activities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create a novel method for quantifying cycling features in children with CP.
- To compare cycling performance between children with CP and typically developing children.
- To validate this method for evaluating treatment outcomes in pediatric CP.
Main Methods:
- Studied 51 children with CP and 27 typically developing children, categorized by gross motor function.
- Measured angular velocities during self-paced active and electrically-assisted passive cycling.
- Correlated cycling data with clinical measures like the Modified Ashworth Scale and Adductor Tone Rating.
Main Results:
- Passive cycling mode revealed sensitivity to subject-specific resistance differences.
- Significant differences in active and passive cycling velocities were observed between CP and typically developing groups (p < 0.01).
- Mild CP group showed no significant differences from controls; correlations with clinical tests were stronger at higher speeds.
Conclusions:
- Two distinct cycling measurement modes can effectively assess lower extremity function in children with CP.
- This method holds promise for monitoring functional changes following therapeutic interventions.
Purpose:
To develop a method of quantifying the features of cycling in children with CP by comparing them to typically developed children, and to demonstrate the applications of this tool for evaluating treatment effects in children with CP.
Methods:
Twenty-seven typically developed children and 51 with CP, classified by their gross motor function levels, were studied. Angular velocities were measured during self-paced active cycling and during passive cycling imposed by an electrically powered stationary cycle. Angular velocities were compared with the gross motor function levels, Modified Ashworth Scale and the Adductor Tone Rating.
Results:
Significant differences between children with CP and those typically developed demonstrated in passive mode that the cycling task is sensitive to differences in resistance offered by the subjects. Active and passive cycling velocities differ significantly between groups classified by their functional levels (p < 0.01). Children with CP in the mild group showed no differences from typically developed children. The correlations between passive cycling and clinical tests were significant and higher at higher speeds (r = 0.62). Correlations with anthropometric measurements for the typically developed group associated the cycling task with growth and development, and for children with CP with motor control adjustments and impairments.
Conclusions:
Measuring of these two cycling modes could be applicable in assessing lower extremity function in children with CP and changes following interventions.
