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Asymmetric Walkway: A Novel Behavioral Assay for Studying Asymmetric Locomotion
Published on: January 15, 2016
Weight distribution asymmetry in relation to walking speed in children with spastic cerebral palsy
Nahla M Ibrahim1, Mai Elsayed Abbass1
1Department of Physical Therapy for Paediatrics, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
Insights
Children with cerebral palsy show uneven weight distribution during walking. Physical therapy should focus on improving weight bearing to enhance gait speed and balance.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neurology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Gait speed and postural stability are key indicators of ambulation and functional mobility.
- These measures are valuable in assessing disability in community-dwelling individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between lower extremity weight distribution and gait speed in children with spastic cerebral palsy.
Main Methods:
- The Biodex gait trainer evaluated weight distribution and gait speed in 60 children with spastic diplegia and 45 with hemiplegia.
- Pearson correlation analysis assessed the relationship between symmetry index, weight bearing percentage, and gait speed.
Main Results:
- A weak positive correlation was observed between gait speed and symmetry index in the diplegic group.
- A significant weak negative correlation was found between gait speed and weight on the affected side in the hemiplegic group.
Conclusions:
- Children with cerebral palsy exhibit asymmetrical weight distribution during gait.
- Physical therapy interventions targeting improved weight-bearing distribution can enhance gait and postural stability.
Background:
Gait speed and postural stability are indicators of community level ambulation and may be a valuable measure of disability.
Objectives:
to investigate the relation between the distribution of weight on both lower extremities and gait speed in children with spastic cerebral palsy.
Methods:
Evaluation for weight distribution on both lower limbs and speed during gait for sixty children with spastic diplegia and forty-five children with hemiplegia was carried out by the Biodex gait trainer. Pearson correlation test was conducted to determine the relation of the symmetry index and the percent of weight bearing to speed.
Results:
A significant weak positive correlation was found between speed and symmetry index in diplegic group, while there was a non-significant weak negative correlation between speed and symmetry index was noticed in hemiplegic group. Nonsignificant weak positive correlation between speed and weight on most affected side was recorded in diplegic group. While in hemiplegic group, there was significant weak negative correlation between weight on affected side and speed.
Conclusion:
Children with cerebral palsy demonstrate asymmetrical weight distribution during walking. Physical therapy training should be directed to enhance weight bearing distribution thus improving gait and postural stability.
