Trunk control and gross motor outcomes after body weight supported treadmill training in young children with severe cerebral palsy: a non-experimental case series

ABSTRACT

Objective: To explore the impact of a body weight supported treadmill training (BWSTT) intervention on postural control and gross motor function in three young children with cerebral palsy (CP) classified as Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels IV or V.

Method: Children (N = 3) between the ages of 2–3 years who were diagnosed with CP classified as GMFCS levels IV and V participated in BWSTT three times per week. The Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control (SATCo) and the gross motor function measure (GMFM-66) were assessed before and after the 6-week intervention.

Results: Final testing revealed that all participants improved on the SATCo and GMFM.

Conclusion: BWSTT is a viable intervention that may improve trunk control and gross motor outcomes in young children with severe CP. Further research is needed to explore the impact of BWSTT for young children classified as GMFCS levels IV and V.

KEYWORDS:

• Body weight support
• pediatric
• rehabilitation
• treadmill training

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this paper.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest

Additional information

Funding

Not applicable