Effect of the Benefoot walker on plantar pressure during walking in apparently healthy people

Abstract

Introduction: The six minute walk test is used in children with cerebral palsy to quantify functional ability [1] and as an outcome measure to assess changes in ambulatory status over time or prior to and following specific treatment interventions. The aim of this research was to assess six-minute walking distance (6MWD) in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and in typically developing (TD) children. Patients/materials and methods: 6MWD values for children with CP were taken from a database of patients referred to a gait analysis laboratory. TD children aged 4–17 were assessed prospectively using the same standardised protocol thatwas used to assess participantswithCP. For analysis, participantswithCPwere subcategorised based on topographical diagnostic subtype (hemiplegic or diplegic) and Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level. Results: Mean 6MWD was 535m (SD=9.2) for TD participants (n=73) and 382m (SD=8.7) for participants with CP (n=129). Results of a pair-wise comparison showed significant differences between 6MWD values of TD participants and across CP participants of all subcategories. Differences were seen across subcategories of CP participants with hemiplegic participants of GMFCS level I performing the longest distances (mean=430m, SD=12.6) and diplegic participants of GMFCS level III performing significantly shorter distances (mean=427m, SD=13) than any other subcategory. Discussionandconclusions:A rangeof normative values for TD children and children with CP (GMFCS I-III) was established using a standardised protocol that can be used to quantify functional capacities of children with CP.