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

Abstract

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.