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Infants with spina bifida: immediate responses to contextual and manual sensory augmentation during treadmill
Victoria A Moerchen1, Heather L Hoefakker
1Pediatric Neuromotor Laboratory, Department of Human Movement Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211, USA. moerchev@uwm.edu
Insights
Combined sensory enhancements and manual assistance improved motor responsiveness in infants with spina bifida during treadmill trials. Friction plus load and manual assistance at slower speeds were particularly effective.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Motor Control Research
- Rehabilitation Science
Background:
- Spina bifida impacts infant motor development and responsiveness.
- Treadmill training is a common intervention for infants with motor impairments.
- Understanding sensory influences on motor control is crucial for rehabilitation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of combined sensory enhancements and manual assistance on motor responsiveness in infants with spina bifida.
- To identify specific sensory conditions that optimize stepping in infants with spina bifida during treadmill use.
Main Methods:
- Six infants (4-9.5 months) with spina bifida (lesion L4-S3) participated.
- Randomized trials included single/combined sensory enhancements (visual flow, unloading, load, friction) and manual assistance.
- Dependent variables: step frequency and overall infant activity.
Main Results:
- The combination of friction and load was the most effective sensory enhancement.
- Manual assistance at a slower treadmill speed significantly increased infant stepping.
- Varied responses were observed across different sensory conditions and manual assistance levels.
Conclusions:
- Specific sensory inputs, like friction and load, can positively influence motor responsiveness in infants with spina bifida.
- Manual assistance offers a viable strategy to enhance stepping.
- Further research is needed on sensory enhancements that promote stance excursion and swing vertical clearance.
Purpose:
This study examined the effect of combined sensory enhancements and manual assistance on the immediate motor responsiveness of infants with spina bifida during treadmill trials.
Methods:
Six infants with spina bifida, aged 4 to 9.5 months, with lesion levels ranging from L4 to S3 were tested in each of 3 randomly ordered sets of enhanced sensory conditions across 3 weekly visits to the laboratory. Sensory enhancements included visual flow, unloading, load, and friction, presented in single and combined applications, as well as a set of trials with manual assistance for stepping at 2 treadmill belt speeds. Dependent variables included step frequencies and overall infant activity.
Results:
Friction+load was the most salient of the contextual sensory enhancements. Manual assistance at the slower speed was also effective at increasing infant stepping.
Conclusions:
Sensory enhancements that increase stance excursion and vertical clearance during swing need further study.
