Research of the spatial-temporal gait parameters and pressure characteristic in spastic diplegia children

Spastic diplegia is the most common form of cerebral palsy. It presents with symmetric involvement of the lower limbs and upper limbs. Children with spastic diplegia frequently experience problems with motor control, spasticity, and balance which lead to gait abnormalities. The aim of this study is twofold. Firstly, to determine the differences in spatial-temporal gait parameters and magnitude of plantar pressure distribution between children with spastic diplegia (CP) and typical children. Secondly, to compare and evaluate main changes of plantar pressure and spatial-temporal gait parameters instead of data between spastic diplegia children with prescribed ankle - solid foot orthosis (AFOs) and without using AFOs.

The evaluation was carried out on 20 spastic diplegia children and 10 agematched children as a control group aged 6-15 years. Twenty children with spastic diplegia CP were divided into two groups: ten subjects with prescribed AFOs and ten subjects without use of assistive device. Patients used the AFOs orthosis for one year. Measurements included in-shoe plantar pressure distribution and spatial-temporal gait parameters.

Spatial-temporal gait parameters showed meaningful difference between study groups in velocity, stride length, step length and cadence ( p < 0.05). However no significant differences between patients with and without AFOs were found ( p > 0.05). Significant differences between typical and spastic diplegia children with AFOs were observed in the magnitude of plantar pressure under the toes, the metatarsal heads, the medial arch, and the heel ( p < 0.05). For typical subjects, the highest pressure amplitudes were found under the heel and the metatarsal heads, while the lowest pressure distribution was under the medial arch. In CP patients the lateral arch was strongly unloaded. The peak pressure under heel was shifted inside.

Collected data and calculated scores present a state of the gait in test groups, showed the difference and could be valuable for physicians in decision making by choosing qualitative therapy. Furthermore, it allows predicting probability of further possible changes in gait of spastic diplegia patients with AFOs and without it. In conclusion, our current results showed that the use of AFOs, prescribed on a clinical basis by doctors improves gait patterns and gait stability in children with spastic cerebral palsy.