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Published on: March 16, 2015
The correlation between rhythm perception and gait characteristics at different rhythms among children with cerebral
Maayan Schweizer1, Sharon Eylon2, Michal Katz-Leurer3
1Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health Professions, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Alyn Children's Hospital and Rehabilitation Center, Jerusalem, Israel.
Insights
Rhythm perception (RP) in children with cerebral palsy (CP) did not differ from typically developing children. However, children with CP showed greater step variability, and better RP was linked to improved gait in both groups.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pediatrics
- Movement Science
Background:
- Motor training with rhythm synchronizes movement and beat.
- Understanding rhythm perception (RP) in children with cerebral palsy (CP) is crucial for gait analysis.
- CP affects motor control, making gait rhythm interaction a key research area.
Purpose of the Study:
- Compare RP and gait characteristics in children with CP versus typically developing (TD) children.
- Investigate how RP influences gait parameters under different rhythmic conditions.
- Determine the relationship between rhythm perception and gait adaptability in children.
Main Methods:
- 24 children with CP (GMFCS I-II, 7-12 years) and 24 TD children participated.
- Rhythm perception assessed using the perceptual beat alignment test (BAT).
- Gait parameters recorded via Gaitrite® system during walking at self-preferred, slower, and faster metronome paces.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in RP between children with CP and TD children.
- Children with CP exhibited greater step time and length variability.
- Better RP correlated with slower walking and reduced step variability in TD children.
- Both groups matched cadence to metronome, except TD children with lower RP at slower pace.
- Children with better RP demonstrated greater gait parameter adjustments to rhythmic changes.
Conclusions:
- Rhythm perception is comparable between children with CP and TD peers.
- Gait variability is a key differentiator in children with CP.
- RP influences gait adaptability and response to auditory rhythmic cues.
- Assessing RP can predict gait responses to metronome-based interventions in children.
Background:
It has been shown that motor training while listening to constant rhythm, is associated with coupling between movement and rhythm. To gain a better understanding of how rhythm perception may affect gait in children with cerebral palsy (CP) it seems important first to assess rhythm perception (RP) in these children.
Research Question:
To describe and compare RP and step characteristics in children with CP and typically-developing (TD) children, and to assess the impact of RP on step characteristics during different rhythms.
Methods:
The study included 24 children with CP, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I-II, age 7-12 years, who walk without assistive device, and 24 TD children matched for age and gender. RP was assessed by the perceptual beat alignment test (BAT). Gait parameters were recorded using a pressure-sensitive mat - the Gaitrite® system. Each participant walked on the mat at a comfortable walking pace and with the metronome set at 92.5 %, 100 % and 107.5 % of his preferred walking rhythm.
Results:
No significant difference in RP was noted between groups. Children with CP presented significantly larger step time and length variability. In TD children, those with better RP walked significantly slower, with lower step variability as compared to TD children with lower RP. Children in both groups, regardless of rhythm perception, successfully matched their cadence to the metronome's pace, both at the lower and higher rhythm, except TD children with lower rhythm perception, who failed to reduce their cadence sufficiently in the 92.5 % pace. Children with better RP in both groups changed more parameters in gait in response to rhythm changes.
Significance:
Assessing RP may predict which parameters of gait are expected to change when employing a metronome during child's walk.
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