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The development of independent walking in children with cerebral palsy
C T Leonard1, H Hirschfeld, H Forssberg
1Nobel Institute for Neurophysiology, Stockholm, Sweden.
Insights
Infants with cerebral palsy (CP) initially show similar supported locomotion to normal infants. However, CP infants retain immature gait patterns, including muscle co-contraction and reflexes, preventing adult-like walking development.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Biomechanical Engineering
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) affects motor development, leading to characteristic gait abnormalities.
- Understanding early motor development in infants with CP is crucial for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the locomotor patterns of infants with cerebral palsy (CP) to those of normal infants.
- To identify specific gait characteristics retained by infants with CP as they mature.
Main Methods:
- Electromyographic (EMG) and kinematic data were collected during treadmill locomotion.
- Data were analyzed from normal infants and infants diagnosed with cerebral palsy.
Main Results:
- Infants with CP exhibited similar supported locomotion patterns to normal infants.
- As infants with CP matured, they retained immature gait features like synchronous muscle activity, excessive co-contraction, and short-latency reflexes.
- Normal plantigrade gait features of adult walking did not develop in children with CP.
Conclusions:
- Early motor development in infants with CP deviates from typical patterns, persisting into later stages.
- Retained infant stepping characteristics in CP hinder the development of mature adult gait.
- These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to address persistent motor deficits in CP.
Abstract:
Electromyographic and kinematic data were collected during treadmill locomotion by normal infants and infants with cerebral palsy. Locomotor patterns of the infants with cerebral palsy were similar to those of normal infants during the stage of supported locomotion, but as they matured, some of the characteristics of the infant stepping pattern, such as synchronous muscle activity with excessive muscular co-contraction and short-latency reflexes at foot contact, were retained. The normal plantigrade features of adult gait did not develop in these children.