Postural Stability Training Effects on Gait in Children with Cerebral Palsy

Research was published assessing the dynamic bilateral postural stability on balance control and gait parameters in 30 children with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy (8-10 years old).  The children were divided into two groups.  One group received 2 hours per session of physical therapy for 3x/week for 8 weeks.  The second group received 1.5 hours per session of PT and 30 minutes of dynamic postural stability training program using the Biodex Stability System.  All children received pre and post assessments to evaluate the stability indices (anteroposterior, mediolateral, and overall) and three-dimensional motion analysis system to evaluate the spatiotemporal parameters including step length, velocity, cycle time, stance, and swing phase percentage.

 

The results indicated the following:

1.  children in both groups showed significant improvements in the mean values of all measured variables after treatment with a significant reduction in stability indices and improvement in gait parameters.

2.  significant differences were recorded in all measured parameters in the group that received the stability training, when compared with those who only received physical therapy.

The researchers concluded that balance training on the Biodex Stability System paired with traditional physical therapy may improve balance control and gait functions in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy.

Reference: Abd El-Kafy, Ehab Mohamed; El-Basatiny, Heba M. Youssr M.  Effect of Postural Balance Training on Gait Parameters in Children with Cerebral Palsy.  AJPM&R. November 2014 – Volume 93 – Issue 11 pp: 931-1018,e1-e8