Rehabilitation of Postural Control and Gait in Children with Cerebral Palsy: the Beneficial Effects of Trunk-Focused Postural Activities

ABSTRACT

Purpose

In children with cerebral palsy (CP), with impaired trunk control and toe-walking, trunk-focused rehabilitation (TFR) based on postural activities was hypothesized to improve trunk postural control, early trunk deceleration, and ankle dorsiflexion braking during walking. Methods: Seventeen children with CP (5–12 years) walking autonomously were randomly assigned to TFR and then usual rehabilitation (TFR-UR) or vice versa (UR-TFR).

Results

Only after TFR was significant improvements in (i) the Trunk Control Measurement Scale score, postural sway on an unstable sitting device and standing, and (ii) early sternal and sacral decelerations and coupled negative ankle power due to plantar flexors.

Conclusion

TFR improves trunk dynamics and consequently improves coupled toe-walking.

KEYWORDS:

• cerebral palsy
• child rehabilitation
• gait analysis
• trunk control
• toe-walking

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Dr David Fraser (Biotech Communication SARL, Ploudalmézeau, France) for English copy-editing assistance.

Disclosure Statement

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

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Fondation Paralysie Cérébrale, Paris, France, under Grants 2015/6 and 2018/2; and Fondation de l’Avenir, Paris, France, under Grant AP-RMA-2015-033.