Trunk Kinematic Analysis during Gait in Cerebral Palsy Children with Crouch Gait Pattern

Deficits in upper body movement have received little attention during gait in cerebral palsy (CP) children with crouch gait pattern (CGP).

Purpose of this research is to describe the correlation of trunk movement with the excessive knee flexion and ankle kinematic in CP children with CGP.

Gait analysis data from 57 limbs of diplegic CP children with CGP and 26 limbs of normal children was gathered. Kinematic parameters of trunk in relation to the pelvis were extracted in the sagittal, transverse and coronal planes. CP limbs were clustered using K-means cluster analysis according to the knee flexion angle at initial contact and the mean position of ankle joint during the stance phase of gait cycle, to three clusters. Pearson correlation coefficient between knee, ankle and trunk kinematic variables was assessed. Differences between clusters were analyzed with Kruskal-Wallis and post hoc tests.

The results revealed: 1) crouch clusters had more trunk obliquity and rotation mean position than normal; 2) the range of motions of the trunk obliquity and rotation exhibited significant differences between crouch and normal clusters; 3) the level of excessive knee flexion had positive correlation with the trunk mean position in all planes; 4) the ankle kinematic at stance phase was associated with the trunk mean position in all planes.

The results revealed the trunk mean position is correlated with the excessive knee flexion severity and ankle joint kinematic in CP children with CGP.