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TENS with proprioceptive-visual training on gait parameters in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy: A
Mostafa S Ali1,2, Mahmoud Usama1
1Department of Physical Therapy for Pediatrics, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Ad Doqi, Egypt.
Insights
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) combined with proprioceptive-visual training improved gait in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy. The combined therapy enhanced spatial and temporal gait parameters more than training alone.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Rehabilitation
- Neurology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Spastic diplegic cerebral palsy (CP) significantly impacts gait in children.
- Effective therapeutic interventions are crucial for improving motor function in pediatric CP.
- Gait analysis provides objective measures for evaluating therapeutic outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the efficacy of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) combined with proprioceptive-visual training on gait parameters in children with spastic diplegic CP.
- To compare the effects of TENS plus proprioceptive-visual training against proprioceptive-visual training alone.
- To identify specific gait parameter improvements in young children with CP.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 60 children (ages 4-6) with spastic diplegic CP.
- Participants were assigned to either a control group (proprioceptive-visual training) or a research group (TENS with proprioceptive-visual training).
- Therapy was administered three times weekly for eight weeks, with gait analysis performed before and after the intervention.
Main Results:
- Both groups showed significant improvements in spatial and temporal gait parameters post-intervention.
- The research group (TENS + training) demonstrated greater improvements in spatial and temporal parameters compared to the control group.
- No statistically significant differences were found in kinetic gait parameters (force, pressure, impulse) between or within groups.
Conclusions:
- TENS combined with proprioceptive-visual training offers a potential benefit for improving spatial and temporal gait parameters in children with spastic diplegic CP.
- While kinetic gait parameters did not show significant changes, the improvements in spatial and temporal aspects suggest a positive impact on gait quality.
- This combined therapy approach warrants further investigation for optimizing gait function in pediatric CP populations.
Abstract:
ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the effect of TENS with proprioceptive-visual training on gait parameters in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy.MethodsTwo groups of thirty diplegic CP children, ages 4 to 6, were randomly assigned to receive proprioceptive-visual training as the control group and TENS with proprioceptive-visual training as the research group. For eight weeks, both groups received therapy three times a week. Prior to and during the intervention period, each participant had an evaluation by gait analysis.ResultsThere were significant differences after treatment in spatial parameters and temporal parameters of both groups with greater improvement in study group than control one, and no statistically significant differences were detected in kinetic gait parameters (maximum force, peak pressure, and impulse) between or within groups.ConclusionTENS with proprioceptive-visual training might improve spatial and temporal gait parameters with no statistically significant differences detected in kinetic gait parameters of children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy.