The Relationship of One Leg Standing Duration to GMFM Scores and to Stance Phase of Walking in Children with Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy

ABSTRACT

Background

Lack of stability during stance negatively impacts gait and motor function for children with unilateral cerebral palsy. Improving stability and balance are the focus for gait rehabilitation). The One-Leg-Standing-Test may give valuable information about motor function and stability of stance for patients with unilateral cerebral palsy.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the One-Leg-Standing-Test and the gross-motor-function-measurement and single-limb support time.

Methods

The study included 18 patients with unilateral cerebral palsy (age 11.08 [SD 2.84] years old). The One-Leg-Standing-Test and pedobarographic evaluation were performed. Sections D and E of the gross-motor-function-measurement were assessed, and in pedobarographic evaluation, the single-limb support time (the total duration of mid-stance and terminal-stance during walking) was calculated to describe stability during stance.

Results

For patients, the One-Leg-Standing-Test scores and single-limb support time values were lower on the affected side than on the unaffected side. The One-Leg-Standing-Test was correlated with single-limb support time (p = .02, r = 0.60) and section E (p < .01, r = 0.59) values. The One-Leg-Standing-Test was also correlated to total stance phase and section D.

Conclusion

The One-Leg-Standing-Test gives valuable information about gross-motor-function but cannot be substituted for motor function tests. The single-limb support time value may be used to describe stability in stance during walking.

KEYWORDS:

• Cerebral palsy
• gait
• gross motor function measurement
• stability
• foot pressure

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).