,

Improving Gait Speed in Children with Cerebral Palsy

improving-gait-speed-in-children-with-cerebral-palsy

Physical Therapy published a systematic review and meta-analysis on the effectiveness of interventions for improving gait speed in ambulatory children with cerebral palsy (CP).  Twenty four studies were divided into three categories of interventions: gait training (n=8), resistance training (n=9), and miscellaneous (n=7).  The analysis indicated that:

  • gait training was effective in increasing gait speed.
  • resistance training was shown to have a negligible effect.
  • velocity training, electromyographic biofeedback training, and whole-body vibration were effective in improving gait speed in individual studies.

The researchers concluded that gait training was the most effective intervention in improving gait speed for ambulatory children with CP.

Reference:  Moreau, N. G., Bodkin, A. W., Bjornson, K., Hobbs, A., Soileau, M., & Lahasky, K. (2016). Effectiveness of Rehabilitation Interventions to Improve Gait Speed in Children With Cerebral Palsy: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Physical Therapy, 96(12), 1938-1954. Accessed December 13, 2016. http://dx.doi.org/10.2522/ptj.20150401.

Teaching Motor Skills to Children with Cerebral Palsy and Similar Movement Disorders - A

Teaching Motor Skills to Children with Cerebral Palsy and Similar Movement Disorders – A Guide for Parents and Professionals digital download – Find out more information.