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High-Intensity Gait Training Intervention for Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Case Series
Megha Sanjiv1, Martha H Bloyer, Cheryl Gimenez
1Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Pediatric Physical Therapy (Drs Sanjiv, Bloyer, and Moore); Department of Physical Therapy (Drs Bloyer and Moore), University of Miami; Nicklaus Children's Hospital Pediatric Residency Program (Drs Sanjiv, Bloyer, Gimenez, and Moore), University of Miami; Nicklaus Children's Hospital (Dr Gimenez), Miami, Florida.
Purpose:
The purpose of this pilot case series was to describe participation in high-intensity gait training (HIGT) and changes in (1) gait speed/endurance, (2) aerobic capacity, and (3) walking ability in children diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP).
Methods:
Three children with CP participated in HIGT for 5weeks in lieu of their routine physical therapy. Outcome measures were collected at baseline and post-intervention.
Results:
Post-intervention, all had at or above the minimal clinically important difference for 10-m walk test speed and 6-minute walk test distance. Two participants performed above the minimal clinically important difference in 7.5-m shuttle run test level and Gross Motor Function Measure-88 Dimension E score.
Conclusion:
This case series demonstrates short-term improvements in the walking outcome measures with participation in HIGT. Further research is needed with a larger and more diverse randomized controlled trial to determine parameters and long-term effects of HIGT in this population.
