Effect of antigravity moon shoes on gait cycle in children with diplegic cerebral palsy

Abstract

IntroductionThe study aimed to evaluate the effect of antigravity moon shoes on the values of stance and swing phases of the gait cycle in children with diplegia.MethodsThe study involved 30 children with spastic diplegia, aged 6–8 years, of both genders. They were randomly divided into 2 groups: A and B. All children were evaluated before and after 4 successive months of a rehabilitation program with 2-dimension gait analysis for measuring step lengths and values of stance and swing phases for both lower limbs. Both groups received a designed program which included stretching exercises for tight flexors of the lower limbs, progressive resisted exercises for extensors, and standing and weight shifting exercises. In addition, classical gait training was applied in group A and gait training with antigravity moon shoes in group B. Mann-Whitney U test served to assess differences in means of step length between the groups. Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to evaluate differences in means of step length and values of stance and swing phases during gait cycles.ResultsPost-treatment results revealed a decrease in step lengths and stance phase values, as well as increased values of swing phase for both groups. The changes were more significant in group B.ConclusionsAntigravity moon shoes are a new idea to improve gait pattern in children with diplegia by decreasing stance time and increasing swing time in the gait cycle.