Efficacy of axial TheraTogs on gait pattern in children with dyskinetic cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled trial

Combined effect of orthotic intervention and conventional exercise training on balance and gait performance in cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled trial

Background

This study aimed to examine the combined effect of orthotic intervention and conventional therapeutic exercise training on balance and gait performance in children with cerebral palsy. This study was a randomized control trial. Forty children with dyskinetic cerebral palsy of both genders with ages ranged from 12 to 16 years were included. Participants in the control and study groups received a conventional therapeutic exercise training program for two 2 h ours per session. The treatment program was conducted three sessions per week, for twelve 12 successive weeks. Children in the study group additionally wore TheraTogs orthotic undergarment with the strapping system. Pediatric Balance Scale score and postural stability indices (overall, anteroposterior , and mediolateral) evaluated by the Biodex Balance System were assessed (in both groups) at baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment. The changes of step length, gait cycle time, cadence, and velocity were also measured by an electronic walkway.

Results

Children in the study group showed significant improvements in the scores of all the measured variables post-treatment compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The P -values for overall, anteroposterior and mediolateral postural stability indices were 0.011, 0.014, and 0.021, respectively. The P -values for Pediatric Balance Scale score, step length, gait cycle time, cadence, and velocity were 0.001, 0.023, 0.041, 0.011, and 0.013 respectively.

Conclusions

Conventional therapeutic exercise training combined with orthotic intervention were more effective in improving balance and gait performance in children with dyskinetic cerebral palsy.

Trial registration

The ClinicalTrial.gov PRS (NCT04990193).

Registered 4 August 2021 - Retrospectively registered.

Effect of functional electrical stimulation versus TheraTogs on gait and balance in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled trial

Background

Children 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.

Results

When 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).

Conclusion

Functional electrical stimulation improves gait pattern and postural stability in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy significantly more than TheraTogs strapping systems.

Clinical trial registration

This study was registered in the ClinicalTrial.gov PRS (NCT05020834).