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Updated: May 10, 2026
Clinical-oriented Three-dimensional Gait Analysis Method for Evaluating Gait Disorder
Published on: March 4, 2018
The relationship between clinical measurements and gait analysis data in children with cerebral palsy
Małgorzata Domagalska1, Andrzej Szopa, Małgorzata Syczewska
1Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
Insights
Spasticity in children with cerebral palsy (CP) affects motor function. This study found low correlations between lower extremity muscle spasticity and gait deviations, suggesting clinical and gait assessments provide distinct information.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric neurology
- Rehabilitation medicine
- Biomechanical engineering
Background:
- Spasticity is a primary impairment affecting motor function, particularly gait, in children with cerebral palsy (CP).
- Evaluating gait disorders in children with CP requires both clinical measurements and gait analysis.
- Understanding the relationship between muscle spasticity and gait deviations is crucial for effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between lower extremity muscle spasticity and gait pattern deviations in children with CP.
- To determine if clinical spasticity measures correlate with objective gait analysis parameters.
Main Methods:
- Thirty-six children (7-12 years) with spastic CP (hemiplegia and diplegia), classified by Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I and II, were studied.
- Spasticity was assessed using the Dynamic Evaluation of Range of Motion (DAROM) with an accelerometer-based system.
- Three-dimensional gait analysis (Zebris system) was performed, and the Gillette Gait Index (GGI) was calculated.
Main Results:
- Gait pathology in children with CP was not dependent on static or dynamic contractures of hip and knee flexors.
- Few significant correlations were found between clinical spasticity measures and gait data (GGI), with low correlation coefficients.
- Only rectus femoris spasticity demonstrated a fair to moderate correlation with the GGI.
Conclusions:
- Clinical evaluations of spasticity and objective gait pattern analysis appear to be independent.
- Both clinical assessments and gait analysis provide valuable, distinct information regarding functional challenges in children with CP.
- This supports the use of comprehensive assessment strategies combining both approaches for children with CP.
Abstract:
Spasticity is a common impairment that interferes with motor function (particularly gait pattern) in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Gait analysis and clinical measurements are equally important in evaluating and treating gait disorders in children with CP. This study aimed to explore the relationship between the spasticity of lower extremity muscles and deviations from the normal gait pattern in children with CP. Thirty-six children with spastic CP (18 with spastic hemiplegia [HS] and 18 with spastic diplegia [DS]), ranging in age from 7 to 12 years, participated in the study. The children were classified as level I (n=24) or level II (n=12) according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System. Spasticity levels were evaluated with the Dynamic Evaluation of Range of Motion (DAROM) using the accelerometer-based system, and gait patterns were evaluated with a three dimensional gait analysis using the Zebris system (Isny, Germany). The Gillette Gait Index (GGI) was calculated from the gait data. The results show that gait pathology in children with CP does not depend on the static and dynamic contractures of hip and knee flexors. Although significant correlations were observed for a few clinical measures with the gait data (GGI), the correlation coefficients were low. Only the spasticity of rectus femoris showed a fair to moderate correlation with GGI. In conclusion, the results indicate the independence of the clinical evaluation and gait pattern and support the view that both factors provide important information about the functional problems of children with CP.
