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Sit-to-stand movement changes in preschool-aged children with spastic diplegia following one neurodevelopmental
Ryo Yonetsu1, Akira Iwata, John Surya
1Department of Physical Therapy, Graduate School of Comprehensive Rehabilitation, Osaka Prefecture University , Osaka , Japan .
Insights
A single neurodevelopmental treatment (NDT) session improved sit-to-stand (STS) movements in children with cerebral palsy (CP). This intervention reduced atypical movement patterns, enhancing mobility and daily activities for children with CP.
Area of Science:
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Pediatric Physical Therapy
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Children with spastic diplegia often face challenges with sit-to-stand (STS) movements, impacting daily life and social participation.
- Limited independent mobility and reliance on wheelchairs are common in preschool-aged children with spastic diplegia.
- Understanding the immediate effects of therapeutic interventions on motor function is crucial for effective rehabilitation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the acute effects of a single neurodevelopmental treatment (NDT) session on sit-to-stand (STS) kinematics in children with cerebral palsy (CP).
- To provide a better understanding of how NDT influences movement patterns during STS transitions in pediatric CP.
- To identify potential improvements in motor control and efficiency following NDT for children with spastic diplegia.
Main Methods:
- The study included eight children with spastic diplegia and five typically developing children, aged 4-6 years.
- Sit-to-stand (STS) movements were analyzed immediately before and after a 40-minute NDT session in children with CP.
- A 3D motion analysis system captured angular movements of the hip, knee, and ankle joints during STS tasks.
Main Results:
- Following the NDT session, significant reductions were observed in trunk forward tilt angles (maximum and final) during STS.
- A significant decrease in final hip flexion angle was noted post-NDT session.
- Significant increases in initial, maximum, and final ankle dorsiflexion angles were observed after the NDT session.
Conclusions:
- A single NDT session can facilitate more efficient sit-to-stand (STS) movements in children with cerebral palsy (CP).
- NDT appears to help children with CP reduce reliance on atypical movement patterns during STS transitions.
- These findings support the use of NDT to improve mobility and functional independence in children with spastic diplegia.
Purpose:
This study was designed to provide a better understanding of how a single neurodevelopmental treatment (NDT) session affects sit-to-stand (STS) movements in children with cerebral palsy (CP).
Methods:
Eight children with spastic diplegia and five typically developing children, aged 4-6 years, participated in this study. The CP participants performed STS movements immediately before and after a 40-min NDT session. Using a three-dimensional, four-camera analysis system, angular movements involving the hip, knee and ankle joints of the participants were obtained.
Results:
During forward tilt of the trunk, the maximum and final angles after the NDT session significantly decreased compared with those before the session (p < 0.05, p < 0.01). Moreover, the final hip flexion after the session also significantly decreased compared with that before the session (p < 0.01). On the other hand, the initial, maximum and final ankle dorsiflexion angles after the session were significantly greater (p < 0.05, p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively) than before the session.
Conclusions:
These findings suggest that a single NDT session enables children with CP to stand from a seated position without using some atypical movement patterns.
Implications For Rehabilitation:
Preschool-aged children with spastic diplegia, with limited ability to independently transfer from a sitting position, and dependent on a wheelchair for mobility experience obstacles to enhanced activities of daily life and social participation. A single neurodevelopmental treatment session would enable children with spastic diplegia to perform sit-to-stand movements more efficiently, with selective muscle control. Understanding how a single neurodevelopmental treatment session affects sit-to-stand movements in children with spastic diplegia is invaluable for therapists planning more efficient therapeutic programs and may enable children with spastic diplegia to develop improved mobility.
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