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Comparison of calf muscle architecture between Asian children with spastic cerebral palsy and typically developing

Ying Chen1, Lu He1, Kaishou Xu1

  • 1Department of Rehabilitation, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.

Plos One
|January 6, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP) show reduced muscle thickness and fascicle length in key leg muscles compared to typically developing peers. These muscle architecture changes in CP may impact mobility and suggest a need for targeted strengthening interventions.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Pediatrics
  • Biomedical Engineering

Background:

  • Spastic cerebral palsy (CP) is a common childhood motor disorder.
  • Muscle architecture alterations may contribute to functional limitations in children with CP.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare muscle thickness, fascicle length, and pennation angle of the gastrocnemius, soleus, and tibialis anterior muscles.
  • To investigate differences between Asian children with spastic CP and typically developing (TD) peers.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study of 72 children (24 hemiplegic CP, 24 diplegic CP, 24 TD peers).
  • Ultrasound measurements of muscle architecture at rest.
  • Clinical assessments included gross motor function and modified Ashworth scale.

Main Results:

  • Children with CP exhibited smaller tibialis anterior and medial gastrocnemius muscle thicknesses.
  • Shorter fascicle lengths were observed in the lateral gastrocnemius and soleus muscles of children with diplegic CP and in the affected calf of children with CP.
  • Larger pennation angles were found in the medial gastrocnemius and soleus muscles of children with hemiplegic CP.
  • Positive correlations were noted between lateral gastrocnemius fascicle length, soleus muscle thickness, and gross motor function scores in children with CP.

Conclusions:

  • Children with spastic CP have reduced muscle thickness and fascicle length in the tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius, and soleus muscles.
  • These findings suggest potential limitations in standing and walking abilities.
  • Interventions to strengthen affected muscles are indicated.
Abstract

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