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Clinically prescribed orthoses demonstrate an increase in velocity of gait in children with cerebral palsy:a retrospective study
Author(s) -
White Hank,
Jenkins Jennifer,
Neace William P,
Tylkowski Chester,
Walker Janet
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
developmental medicine and child neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.658
H-Index - 143
eISSN - 1469-8749
pISSN - 0012-1622
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-8749.2002.tb00797.x
Subject(s) - barefoot , cadence , medicine , gait , cerebral palsy , gait analysis , retrospective cohort study , physical medicine and rehabilitation , stride , physical therapy , diplegia , preferred walking speed , ankle , surgery
The purpose of this study was to determine the effect clinically prescribed ankle‐foot orthoses (AFOs) have on the temporal‐spatial parameters of gait, as compared with barefoot walking in children with cerebral palsy. A retrospective chart review of data collected between 1995 and 1999 in our motion analysis laboratory was performed. A retrospective chart review of 700 patients revealed 115 patients (mean age 9 years) who had a primary diagnosis of CP (diplegia n =97, hemiplegia n =18). All were wearing clinically prescribed hinged or solid AFOs at the time of undergoing a three dimensional gait analysis. In line with our standard clinical practice, data for both conditions (braced and barefoot walking) were collected the same day by the same examiner. Statistical analyses indicated the temporal and spatial gait parameters of velocity, stride length, step length, and single limb stance were significantly increased (p<0.001) with the use of AFOs versus barefoot walking. Cadence was the only parameter found to not be statistically different.