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Guzik A, Wolan-Nieroda A, Drużbicki M. Inter- and intra-rater reliability of new application software for computerised paediatric version of Wisconsin Gait Scale. Sci Rep 2023; 13:4757. [PMID: 36959308 PMCID: PMC10036550 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31436-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The paediatric version of Wisconsin Gait Scale (WGS) is a reliable tool for gait assessment in children with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP). We decided to develop a solution which will make it possible to objectify the descriptive paediatric version of the WGS, and which, consequently, will allow researchers/clinicians to more easily perform accurate assessment of gait patterns in patients. The aim of the study was to assess inter- and intra-rater reliability of new application software for computerised paediatric version of the WGS in children with hemiplegic CP. The study involved 31 children with hemiplegic CP. The app was designed using a model based on thematic categories of the paediatric WGS, and utilising auxiliary lines between specific points on the patient's body, and taking into account angular values, duration and length of the specific gait phases, in order to enable acquisition of quantitative data corresponding to the components of the WGS. The gait of the study participants was recorded, in series of videos. These provided material for three independent raters who reviewed the recordings twice and assessed the participants' gait using the app. After the evaluation was completed, the data were retrieved from the software. The new application software for the computerised paediatric WGS presents very good inter- and intra-rater reliability. Intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was very high in measurement 1 (ICC > 0.9) and 2 (ICC > 0.8), which reflects a very high degree of agreement between the three examiners; there was also high agreement for the specific examiners, between the two measurements (ICC > 0.9). The observational gait scale, objectified through the new software, and enabling computer-aided use of the paediatric WGS, presents practical advantages for examiners since it facilitates decisions taken in the process of WGS-based assessment in children with spastic hemiplegic CP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Guzik
- Department of Physiotherapy, Institute of Health Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, University of Rzeszów, Rzeszów, Poland.
| | - Andżelina Wolan-Nieroda
- Department of Physiotherapy, Institute of Health Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, University of Rzeszów, Rzeszów, Poland
| | - Mariusz Drużbicki
- Department of Physiotherapy, Institute of Health Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, University of Rzeszów, Rzeszów, Poland
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Noutsios CD, Boisvert-Plante V, Laberge E, Perez J, Ingelmo P. The Telemedicine-Based Pediatric Examination of the Back and Lower Limbs: A Narrative Review. J Pain Res 2021; 14:2959-2979. [PMID: 34584449 PMCID: PMC8464344 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s329173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the transition to virtual healthcare while also prompting an abundance of new literature highlighting telemedicine's capabilities and limitations for various medical applications, notably musculoskeletal examinations. Telemedicine provides an opportunity to deliver timely patient- and family-centred care while maintaining physical distancing and improving access to remote communities. This review aims to narrate the current state of the literature on telemedicine applied in the context of a musculoskeletal examination for children aged 3 to 18 years. The PubMed and ScienceDirect databases were searched for relevant articles from January 2015 to August 2021 using a combination of keywords and nested searches. The general examination components relevant to the back and lumbosacral spine, hip, knee, ankle/foot, and gait are described. These components include inspection, palpation, range of motion, motor, and sensory examination as well as special testing. There is general feasibility, validity, and substantial reliability in performing most examination components, and primary diagnoses established virtually were found to be either the same or similar in the vast majority of cases. Despite the current literature focusing mainly on adult populations, we describe how each aspect of the exam can be reliably incorporated into a virtual appointment specific to the pediatric population. Currently available smartphone-based applications that measure joint range of motion were generally found to have high reliability and validity. Caregivers are needed for most of the consultation, especially in younger children, but select physical exam maneuvers can be self-performed by older children and adolescents alone. By providing an overview of the available smartphone tools as well as the reliability and validity of remote assessments, this review not only establishes a foundation for a structured pediatric musculoskeletal examination, but also aims to increase providers' confidence in incorporating telemedicine into their practice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Erika Laberge
- Edward’s Family Interdisciplinary Centre for Pediatric Complex Pain, Montreal Children’s Hospital (McGill University Health Centre), Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jordi Perez
- Alan Edwards Pain Management Unit, Montreal General Hospital (McGill University Health Centre), Montreal, QC, Canada
- Alan Edwards Centre for Pain Research, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Pablo Ingelmo
- Edward’s Family Interdisciplinary Centre for Pediatric Complex Pain, Montreal Children’s Hospital (McGill University Health Centre), Montreal, QC, Canada
- Alan Edwards Centre for Pain Research, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Research Institute, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Elnaggar RK. Acute responses to locomotor tasks differ according to gait-asymmetry patterns in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy: An exploratory analysis. Hum Mov Sci 2021; 79:102860. [PMID: 34385053 DOI: 10.1016/j.humov.2021.102860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed at determining if differential responses to locomotor tasks in children with spastic hemiplegia occur on account of step-length asymmetry patterns [symmetrical step-length (S-SL); affected side short (AFFshort), and non-affected short (Non-AFFshort)] observed during on-ground walking. Thirty-two children (5-8 years) were assessed for spatial/temporal measures of gait while walking on the ground with self-selected speed. Data from on-ground walking were compared against three locomotor tasks that were examined on a treadmill: self-imposed walking velocity with bodyweight support of 0% (BWS-0%), self-imposed walking velocity with a BWS of 20% (BWS-20%), and fastest walking velocity with a BWS of 20% and a manually-guided response of the non-affected leg (MGRnon-affected). The primary outcome measures were the spatial (step length) and temporal (single-limb support time) symmetry indices. The step-length asymmetry subgroups responded differently to the locomotor tasks. The MGRnon-affected produced spatial symmetry in the S-SL and Non-AFFshort groups and temporal symmetry in the AFFshort group. The BWS-0% and BWS-20% treadmill walking conditions were insufficient to remediate either spatial or temporal walking asymmetry. In conclusion, acute responses to locomotor tasks are not consistent among asymmetry subgroups, suggesting that they might need individual treatment plans. In spite of the differences in walking characteristics between asymmetry subgroups, the improvement in gait-symmetry arose out of changes in affected and non-affected sides together.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ragab K Elnaggar
- Department of Physical Therapy and Health Rehabilitation, Collage of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia; Department of Physical Therapy for Pediatrics, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
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Effect of Dog-Assisted Therapy on Psychomotor Development of Children with Intellectual Disability. CHILDREN-BASEL 2020; 8:children8010013. [PMID: 33383714 PMCID: PMC7824354 DOI: 10.3390/children8010013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although dog-assisted therapy (DAT) has been used for years, there is still a scarcity of research findings confirming efficacy of the method. The current study was designed to assess effects of DAT on psychomotor development of children with mild intellectual disabilities. MATERIAL AND METHOD The study involved 60 children with mild intellectual disabilities, aged 10-13 years, divided into a group participating in a 10-month DAT program, and the control group. Four tests were applied, i.e., finger identification, postural imitation, kinaesthesia, and Bourdon-Wiersma Dot Cancellation Test. The examinations were carried out before the start and at the end of the DAT, and at a two-month follow-up. RESULTS The results obtained by the DAT group in all the four tests, at all the three timepoints, were not the same (p < 0.001). No statistically significant differences were found in the measurement at the end of the therapy between the DAT group and the controls. On the other hand, the DAT group achieved significantly better scores (p = 0.001 and p = 0.001), compared to the control, in the follow-up measurements two months after the end of the therapy in postural imitation and finger identification tests. CONCLUSIONS Some of the scores achieved by the children in the DAT group improved in the measurements performed over time. Two months after the therapy ended, the children in the DAT group presented greater gains in motor planning (postural imitation test) and in the sense of touch, attention, and concentration (finger identification test), compared to the control group. Although the measurement performed immediately after the therapy did not show significant differences between the DAT group and the controls, the examination carried out at the two-month follow-up identified long-term gains in the treatment group in the domain of motor planning (postural imitation test).
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Joanna M, Magdalena S, Katarzyna BM, Daniel S, Ewa LD. The Utility of Gait Deviation Index (GDI) and Gait Variability Index (GVI) in Detecting Gait Changes in Spastic Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy Children Using Ankle-Foot Orthoses (AFO). CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 7:children7100149. [PMID: 32992683 PMCID: PMC7600809 DOI: 10.3390/children7100149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Background: Cerebral palsy (CP) children present complex and heterogeneous motor disorders that cause gait deviations. Clinical gait analysis (CGA) is used to identify, understand and support the management of gait deviations in CP. Children with CP often use ankle–foot orthosis (AFO) to facilitate and optimize their walking ability. The aim of this study was to assess whether the gait deviation index (GDI) and the gait variability index (GVI) results can reflect the changes of spatio-temporal and kinematic gait parameters in spastic hemiplegic CP children wearing AFO. Method: The study group consisted of 37 CP children with hemiparesis. All had undergone a comprehensive, instrumented gait analysis while walking, both barefoot and with their AFO, during the same CGA session. Kinematic and spatio-temporal data were collected and GVI and GDI gait indexes were calculated. Results: Significant differences were found between the barefoot condition and the AFO conditions for selected spatio-temporal and kinematic gait parameters. Changes in GVI and GDI were also statistically significant. Conclusions: The use of AFO in hemiplegic CP children caused a statistically significant improvement in spatio-temporal and kinematic gait parameters. It was found that these changes were also reflected by GVI and GDI. These findings might suggest that gait indices, such as GDI and GVI, as clinical outcome measures, may reflect the effects of specific therapeutic interventions in CP children.
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Rabatin AE, Lynch ME, Severson MC, Brandenburg JE, Driscoll SW. Pediatric telerehabilitation medicine: Making your virtual visits efficient, effective and fun. J Pediatr Rehabil Med 2020; 13:355-370. [PMID: 33136081 DOI: 10.3233/prm-200748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated many changes in medicine including the transition from providing care in person to providing care via technology enabled telemedicine. The benefits of telemedicine visits with a Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM) provider, also known as telerehabilitation medicine visits, are numerous. Telerehabilitation medicine provides an opportunity to deliver timely, patient and family-centric rehabilitation care while maintaining physical distance and reducing potential COVID-19 exposure for our patients, their caregivers and medical providers. Telerehabilitation medicine also allows for access to PRM care in rural areas or areas without medical specialty, virtual in-home equipment evaluation, and reduced travel burden. Because of these and many other benefits, telerehabilitation medicine will likely become part of our ongoing model of care if barriers to telemedicine continue to be lowered or removed. This paper is intended to establish a foundation for pediatric telerehabilitation medicine visit efficiency and effectiveness in our current environment and into the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy E Rabatin
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Division of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.,Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Mary E Lynch
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Matthew C Severson
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Joline E Brandenburg
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Division of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.,Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Sherilyn W Driscoll
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Division of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.,Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
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Ali E, Len A, Ling W, Rao S. Reliability of a New Clinical Gait Assessment Scale for Children with Idiopathic Toe Walking Gait - A Pilot Study. Phys Occup Ther Pediatr 2020; 40:669-680. [PMID: 32249655 DOI: 10.1080/01942638.2020.1744787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Children with idiopathic toe walking (ITW) gait are increasingly referred to physical therapists. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of the Clinical Gait Assessment Scale (CGAS), a newly developed observational rating scale. METHODS Four raters evaluated videos of four children. Foot, arm and head/trunk movement was scored as children walked over four surfaces. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC), model (3,k) were calculated to determine intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of each dependent variable. RESULTS The key findings of this study indicate robust intra- and inter-rater reliability, particularly of the foot (Inter-rater reliability, ICC (3,2)=0.9) and head and trunk (Inter-rater reliability, ICC (3,2)=1.0) subsections. Arm movements were more challenging to rate and showed moderate reliability (Inter-rater reliability, ICC (3,2)=0.7). Highest total impairment score; the highest value occurred while walking on the obstacle course (38 ± 29). CONCLUSIONS Overall, the CGAS showed adequate/acceptable reliability across different surfaces (linoleum, textured surface, narrow base, obstacle), however the obstacle surface was most challenging surface to the rater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eglal Ali
- Department of Physical Therapy, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Anna Len
- Department of Physical Therapy, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Wen Ling
- Department of Physical Therapy, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Smita Rao
- Department of Physical Therapy, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development, New York University, New York, NY, USA
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