Effect of a new physical therapy concept on dynamic balance in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy

Abstract EN

Background : Treadmill gait training as a therapeutic resource in the rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy (CP) has recently been the focus of many studies; however, still little is known regarding the effect of antigravity treadmill (AGT) on dynamic balance in children with spastic diplegia.

Aim of the study : This study aims to evaluate the effect of gait training using AGT on standing balance of the spastic diplegic cerebral palsy (SDCP) children.

Subjects and methods : 30 SDCP children (6-8 years old), from both sexes, participated in this study.

They were divided randomly into 2 groups : control group (group A) and study group (group B).

The control group received a specially designed therapeutic exercise program; while the study group received gait training using AGT, for 20 min, 3 times weekly, for 3 months, in addition to the same exercise program given to the control group.

The Biodex balance system was used for the assessment of the dynamic postural control of all participants.

Results : The results revealed no significant difference when comparing the pretreatment mean values of the 2 groups, while significant improvement was observed in all the measured variables of the 2 groups when comparing their pre and post treatment mean values.

A significant difference was also observed when comparing the post treatment results of the 2 groups in favor of the study group.

Conclusion : It can be concluded that gait training using AGT could be used as an effective method for improving standing balance for children with SDCP.