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Updated: Mar 19, 2026
Clinical-oriented Three-dimensional Gait Analysis Method for Evaluating Gait Disorder
Published on: March 4, 2018
Effect of supporting 3D-garment on gait postural stability in children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy
Marc Degelaen1,2,3, Ludo De Borre1,4, Ronald Buyl5
1Centre d'Analyse du Mouvement, Hôpital Brugmann, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium.
Insights
A 3D supporting garment improved trunk-thigh and lower limb coordination in children with cerebral palsy during walking. This intervention positively impacts gait and postural control in this population.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Pediatric Rehabilitation
- Neurology
Background:
- Children with cerebral palsy (CP) exhibit impaired postural control, affecting daily activities.
- Dysfunctional postural control in CP impacts functional performance and mobility.
- Understanding these challenges is crucial for developing effective interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of a 3D supporting garment on trunk postural control.
- To assess changes in interjoint coordination during gait in children with bilateral CP.
- To compare outcomes in children with CP and typically developing peers.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of tridimensional trunk motion and interjoint coordination (trunk-thigh, lower limb).
- Study included 15 children with bilateral spastic CP (GMFCS I-II) and 16 typically developing children (ages 4-10).
- Participants walked with and without a 3D supporting garment.
Main Results:
- Significant alterations in trunk and lower limb coordination were observed in children with CP.
- Children with CP showed increased step velocity and cadence, unlike controls.
- Impaired interjoint coordination (hip-knee, knee-ankle) during stance was noted in CP subgroup without ankle limitations.
Conclusions:
- 3D supporting garments enhance trunk-thigh and lower limb interjoint coordination during walking in children with bilateral CP.
- The garment shows potential as an assistive device for improving gait in children with CP.
- Further research can explore long-term effects and broader applications.
Background:
Children with cerebral palsy show dysfunctional postural control which interferes with their functional performance and daily-life activities.
Objective:
The aim of the study was to identify the effect of a 3D supporting garment on trunk postural control and interjoint coordination during gait in children with bilateral cerebral palsy.
Methods:
We analyzed tridimensional trunk motion, trunk-thigh and interjoint coordination in 15 4-10 year-old children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy (GMFCS I or II) and 16 4-10 year-old typically developing children while walking with or without a supporting garment.
Results:
We found significantly changes in the coordination between trunk and lower limbs in children with cerebral palsy. Step velocity and cadence both increased significantly in children with cerebral palsy but in controls, the cadence remained unaltered. Interjoint coordination between hip-knee and knee-ankle was altered during the stance phase only in the subgroup of children with cerebral palsy without any limitations in ankle joint passive range of motion.
Conclusion:
3D supporting garments improve trunk-thigh and lower limb interjoint coordination in walking in children with bilateral cerebral palsy.
