Abstract
Background: We studied the effects of motor tasks using backward walking training on balance and gait functions of children with cerebral palsy. This was a single-blinded, randomized controlled trial with a crossover design conducted at a single facility. Methods: Among 12 children with cerebral palsy, the forward (FWG) (n = 6) and backward walking groups (BWG) (n = 6) underwent training three times a week for 4 weeks, 40 min a day. After a 6-week break, the crossover training was conducted. Functional walking variables were measured. Time-Up-and-Go (TUG) test, Figure-8 Walk Test (FW8T), and Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) were used for measuring balance. Results: Both groups showed significant improvement in walking speed, stride length, and step length. The BWG demonstrated significant improvement in walking speed (p < 0.05) compared with the FWG. The TUG test, FW8T, and PBS showed significant improvement. After the 4-week intervention, both groups displayed a remarkable decrease in TUG duration and FW8T. Both groups also exhibited improvement in the PBS; more so in the BWG. Conclusions: Backward walking training with motor dual tasks could be a more effective interventional approach than forward walking training to improve balance and walking functions of children with spastic hemiplegia.
Highlights
Cerebral palsy is a non-progressive lesion that is described as a group of permanent disabilities of motor performance caused by injuries in the brain of a developing fetus or infant [1]
The backward-walking training (BWT) group showed a greater reduction than the Forward-walking training (FWT) group, and there was a significant difference in inter-group comparison between the two groups (p < 0.05)
The results of our study showed that backward walking with task-oriented training improved the balancing abilities and functional gait of children with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy, more so than those observed in the FWT
Summary
Cerebral palsy is a non-progressive lesion that is described as a group of permanent disabilities of motor performance caused by injuries in the brain of a developing fetus or infant [1]. We studied the effects of motor tasks using backward walking training on balance and gait functions of children with cerebral palsy. This was a single-blinded, randomized controlled trial with a crossover design conducted at a single facility. After the 4-week intervention, both groups displayed a remarkable decrease in TUG duration and FW8T Both groups exhibited improvement in the PBS; more so in the BWG. Conclusions: Backward walking training with motor dual tasks could be a more effective interventional approach than forward walking training to improve balance and walking functions of children with spastic hemiplegia
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