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Improved gait after repetitive locomotor training in children with cerebral palsy
Nicola Smania1, Paola Bonetti, Marialuisa Gandolfi
1Neuromotor and Cognitive Rehabilitation Center, Department of Neurological, Neuropsychological, Morphological and Motor Sciences, University of Verona, Italy.
Insights
Repetitive locomotor training using an electromechanical gait trainer significantly improved walking ability and gait parameters in children with cerebral palsy, with benefits sustained at follow-up.
Area of Science:
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Pediatric Neurology
- Biomechanical Engineering
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) affects motor function, impacting gait and mobility in children.
- Conventional physiotherapy offers benefits, but advanced training methods are being explored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the efficacy of repetitive locomotor training with an electromechanical gait trainer in children with cerebral palsy.
- To compare this advanced training with conventional physiotherapy.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 18 ambulatory children with CP.
- Experimental group: electromechanical gait trainer (30 min) + passive mobilization (10 min).
- Control group: conventional physiotherapy (40 min); 10 sessions over 2 weeks.
Main Results:
- The experimental group demonstrated significant improvements in 10-m walk test, 6-min walk test, hip kinematics, gait speed, and step length.
- These improvements were maintained at 1-month follow-up.
- No significant changes were observed in the control group.
Conclusions:
- Repetitive locomotor training with an electromechanical gait trainer is effective for improving gait velocity, endurance, and kinematic parameters in children with CP.
- This technology-enhanced approach offers a promising alternative or adjunct to conventional physiotherapy.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of repetitive locomotor training with an electromechanical gait trainer in children with cerebral palsy.
Design:
In this randomized controlled trial, 18 ambulatory children with diplegic or tetraplegic cerebral palsy were randomly assigned to an experimental group or a control group. The experimental group received 30 mins of repetitive locomotor training with an applied technology (Gait Trainer GT I) plus 10 mins of passive joint mobilization and stretching exercises. The control group received 40 mins of conventional physiotherapy. Each subject underwent a total of 10 treatment sessions over a 2-wk period. Performance on the 10-m walk test, 6-min walk test, WeeFIM scale, and gait analysis was evaluated by a blinded rater before and after treatment and at 1-mo follow-up.
Results:
The experimental group showed significant posttreatment improvement on the 10-m walk test, 6-min walk test, hip kinematics, gait speed, and step length, all of which were maintained at the 1-mo follow-up assessment. No significant changes in performance parameters were observed in the control group.
Conclusions:
Repetitive locomotor training with an electromechanical gait trainer may improve gait velocity, endurance, spatiotemporal, and kinematic gait parameters in patients with cerebral palsy.
