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Dual-task training effect on gait parameters in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy: Preliminary results of
Eda Ozge Okur1, Meltem Isintas Arik2, Ismail Okur2
1Kutahya Health Sciences University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Occupational Therapy, Kutahya, Turkey,.
Insights
Dual-task training improved gait and functional skills in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy (CP). This program, added to conventional physiotherapy, enhances motor function and quality of life for children with CP.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neurology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Children with cerebral palsy (CP) often experience gait difficulties, particularly under dual-task conditions.
- Previous research indicates that concurrent tasks can worsen spatiotemporal gait parameters in children with CP.
- The specific impact of dual-task training on gait in children with spastic diplegic CP remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of a dual-task training program on gait, functional skills, and health-related quality of life in children with spastic diplegic CP.
Main Methods:
- A self-controlled clinical study involving 11 children with spastic diplegic CP (Gross Motor Function Classification System levels 1-2).
- Participants underwent an 8-week conventional physiotherapy program followed by an 8-week program incorporating dual-task training.
- Evaluations included spatiotemporal gait analysis (Zebris™ FDM-2, Edinburgh Visual Gait Score), functional mobility (1 min Walk Test), and quality of life (PedsQL-CP module).
Main Results:
- Dual-task training significantly improved spatiotemporal gait parameters, including step length, step time, stride time, cadence, and gait speed (p < 0.05).
- Statistically significant improvements were observed in the 1 min Walk Test and the movement and balance subscale of the PedsQL-CP module (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Adding a dual-task training program to conventional physiotherapy enhances functional gains in children with spastic diplegic CP.
- This approach contributes to improving the overall motor functional level in this population.
Background:
Children with cerebral palsy (CP) may have difficulties under dual-task conditions. Spatiotemporal gait parameters have deteriorated with concurrent tasks in children with CP. However, how dual-task training affects gait parameters in children with spastic diplegic CP has not been clarified.
Research Question:
How does dual-task training program effect gait, functional skills, and health-related quality of life in children with spastic diplegic CP?
Methods:
Eleven children with spastic diplegic CP (median age 11 y, range 7-16 y; 4 female; 7 male) Gross Motor Function Classification System level 1-2 and obtained 27 and higher scores from Modified Mini Mental Test included in the study. The study was planned as a self-controlled clinical research design. Children were recruited to conventional physiotherapy program for 8 weeks and dual-task training program added to conventional physiotherapy program for following 8 weeks. Children were evaluated at baseline, after conventional physiotherapy program, and after dual-task training program. Children's gait was evaluated with Zebris™ FDM-2 device and Edinburgh Visual Gait Score, functional mobility skills with 1 min Walk Test (1MWT), and health-related quality of life with the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) - CP module.
Results:
The difference in step length, step time, stride time, cadence and gait speed of spatiotemporal parameters of gait during dual-task performance were found statistically significant in children with spastic diplegic CP, after dual-task training program (p < 0,05). After dual-task training, statistically significant gains were found in 1MWT, movement and balance subtitle of PedsQL-CP module Parent Form (p < 0,05).
Significance:
Dual-task training program added to a conventional physiotherapy program provides more gains in terms of functionality of children with spastic diplegic CP will contribute to the improvement of the motor functional level.
