Abstract
BackgroundChildren with cerebral palsy exhibit postural restrictions and gait problems as a result of both primary and secondary brain damage impairments. One of the main goals of cerebral palsy rehabilitation is to improve gait and balance. As a result, the purpose of this study was to compare the effects of FES and TheraTogs on gait and balance in children with hemiplegic CP. A randomized controlled study was conducted on 30 children with hemiplegic CP (18 boys and 12 girls) between the ages of 8 and 12 years. The children were divided into two equal groups. In addition to the traditional physical treatment program, the FES group received functional electrical stimulation (pulse width 300 μs, frequency 33 Hz, 2 h/day, 3 days/week, 3 months). The TheraTogs group, on the other hand, received the TheraTogs strapping system as well as the same traditional program for the same time period. The 3-D motion analysis and the Biodex balance system were used to analyze gait parameters and postural stability at baseline and 3 months after the intervention.ResultsWhen comparing the mean values of the gait parameters and postural stability indices of children in both groups before and after treatment, a significant improvement was reported. Furthermore, the FES group showed a greater improvement in all of the measured outcomes (P < 0.001).ConclusionFunctional electrical stimulation improves gait pattern and postural stability in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy significantly more than TheraTogs strapping systems.Clinical trial registrationThis study was registered in the ClinicalTrial.gov PRS (NCT05020834).
Highlights
Children with cerebral palsy exhibit postural restrictions and gait problems as a result of both primary and secondary brain damage impairments
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a term used to describe a group of permanent movement and posture impairments caused by non-progressive brain disorders [1]
Children with hemiplegic CP learn to walk with their feet wide apart, knees stiff, and feet turned inwards, El‐Shamy and El Kafy Bulletin of Faculty of Physical Therapy (2021) 26:38 bearing their weight on the medial portions of their feet
Summary
Children with cerebral palsy exhibit postural restrictions and gait problems as a result of both primary and secondary brain damage impairments. The most common gait impediment for children with hemiplegic CP is poor foot clearance during the swing phase and diminished heel strike on the affected side, possibly limiting higher-level ambulation and balance skills [4]. Children with hemiplegic CP learn to walk with their feet wide apart, knees stiff, and feet turned inwards, El‐Shamy and El Kafy Bulletin of Faculty of Physical Therapy (2021) 26:38 bearing their weight on the medial portions of their feet. They exhibit impaired balance, visual motor control, and strength, as well as shorter step and stride lengths, a high cadence, and a slow velocity [7]. As well as a higher risk of falling, are possible consequences of these impairments [9]
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