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The relationship between the backward walking and proprioception, trunk control, and muscle strength in children with
Enver Katırcı1, Hatice Adıgüzel2, Zekiye İpek Katırcı Kırmacı3
1Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, SANKO University, 27090, Gaziantep, Turkey.
Insights
Backward walking in children with cerebral palsy (CP) improves with better forward walking function. However, factors like proprioception, trunk control, and muscle strength did not significantly impact backward walking ability.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neurology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) affects motor function, including gait, impacting daily activities.
- Backward walking is a complex motor skill that may reveal underlying functional deficits in children with CP.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify factors influencing backward walking performance in children with CP.
- To correlate backward walking ability with spasticity, proprioception, trunk control, muscle strength, and functional gait.
Main Methods:
- 30 children with CP (mean age 10.43 years) participated.
- Evaluated backward walking using the 3-Meter Back Walk Test (3MBWT).
- Assessed spasticity (GMFCS levels), proprioception, trunk control (TCMS), muscle strength, and functional gait (FAQ).
Main Results:
- Children with lower spasticity (GMFCS Level I) showed better backward walking.
- Backward walking ability (3MBWT) correlated negatively with functional gait (FAQ).
- No significant correlation was found between 3MBWT and proprioception, trunk control, or muscle strength.
Conclusions:
- Improved forward walking function in children with CP is associated with better backward walking.
- Proprioception, trunk control, and muscle strength were not found to be significant determinants of backward walking ability in this cohort.
Objective:
This study was planned to determine the factors affecting backward walking in children with cerebral palsy (CP).
Methods:
The study included 30 children with CP, with a mean age of 10.43 ± 2.76 years. Backward walking abilities were evaluated with the 3-Meter Back Walk Test (3MBWT). A digital goniometer was used to evaluate proprioception, the Trunk Control Measurement Scale (TCMS) was used for trunk control, a digital muscle dynamometer was used for muscle strength, and the Gillette Functional Assessment Questionnaire (FAQ) was used for gait evaluation.
Results:
When the spasticity of children at levels I and II according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) was compared, a significant difference was found in favor of level I in hamstring, gastro-soleus, and gastrocnemius spasticity (p < 0.05). When the results of the 3MBWT, TCMS, and FAQ were compared, a significant difference was found in favor of level I (p < 0.05). No significant relationship was revealed between the 3MBWT and lower extremity proprioception and TCMS (p > 0.05). A significant negative correlation was observed between the 3MBWT and FAQ (p < 0.05). No significant correlation was found between the 3MBWT and lower extremity muscle strengths (p > 0.05). A significant positive correlation was found only between hip extension proprioception and iliopsoas muscle strength (p = 0.023). There was no significant correlation between the FAQ and lower extremity muscle strength (p > 0.05).
Conclusion:
It was revealed that the backward walking ability increased as the forward walking function improved in children with CP, but it was not affected by proprioception, trunk control, and muscle strength.
Clinical Trials:
NCT05088629 (10/11/2021).
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