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Impact of Body-Height Increase on Gastrocnemius Muscle Stiffness in Children With Cerebral Palsy: A one-year

Shinya Nakamura, Minoru Kimoto, Masahiko Wakasa1

  • 1Department of Physical Therapy, Akita University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Akita, Japan.

American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
|January 3, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP) experience greater gastrocnemius muscle (GM) stiffness changes with height growth than typically developing children. This indicates a more pronounced impact of growth on muscle stiffness in CP.

Area of Science:

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Musculoskeletal Research

Background:

  • Children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP) often exhibit altered muscle properties.
  • Gastrocnemius muscle (GM) stiffness is a key factor in gait and mobility.
  • Understanding the impact of growth on muscle stiffness in CP is crucial for intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the relationship between height increase and gastrocnemius muscle (GM) stiffness in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP) versus those with typical development (TD).

Main Methods:

  • A one-year cohort study involving 23 children with CP and 23 with TD.
  • Muscle stiffness was measured using elastography, calculating lateral and medial GM-strain ratios.
  • Regression analysis assessed the rate of change in height against the rate of change in GM-strain ratios.

Main Results:

  • Height increase significantly predicted GM stiffness changes in both CP and TD groups.
  • Children with CP showed significantly stronger correlations (higher R2 values) between height change and GM stiffness compared to TD children.
  • The rate of change in GM stiffness was greater in children with CP.

Conclusions:

  • Height increase has a more significant impact on gastrocnemius muscle stiffness in children with CP than in those with typical development.
  • These findings highlight the progressive nature of GM stiffness alterations during growth in CP.
  • This research underscores the need for targeted monitoring and interventions for muscle stiffness in pediatric CP.
Abstract

Keywords:
Body HeightCerebral PalsyElasticity Imaging TechniquesMuscle

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