Treadmill Training with Virtual Reality: Gross Motor Function Measure Article Summary
Title: Treadmill Training with Virtual Reality Improves Gait, Balance, and Muscle Strength in Children with Cerebral Palsy Authors: Chunchee Cho, Wonjeong Hwang, Sujin Hwang, Yijung Chung The purpose of this article was to determine the effects of treadmill training in patients with spastic Cerebral Palsy (CP). However, the researchers acknowledged children often become “bored” with treadmill training. Therefore, they enrolled 18 children, ages 4-16 years old, in a research study in which 9 of them used virtual reality while treadmill training and the other 9 used a basic treadmill training program. The researchers assessed a few variables but one of the main variables being assessed was gross motor function using the Gross Motor Functional Measure (GMFM). The GMFM assessed 5 areas of participation. These areas were: lying down and rolling, sitting, crawling on hands and knees and kneeling, standing, and walking, running, and jumping. Other outcome and objective measures collected…
Read MoreGross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) and Robotic-Assisted Gait Training
“Effect of Robot-Assisted Gait Training on Motor Functions in Adolescent and Young Adult Patients with Bilateral Spastic Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Controlled Trial” Article Summary The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) on gross motor function in individuals with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy compared to conventional physical therapy, and to determine if the RAGT effects continue over a 3-4 month period of time. This prospective, randomized controlled trial enrolled 47 adolescent and adult patients living with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy (CP), and the participants were broken up into two groups in two separate outpatient clinics: an experimental group and a control group. The first group consisted of 21 patients who received RAGT, and the second group consisted of 26 patients who received conventional physical therapy in a clinic where RAGT was unavailable. The RAGT, which is considered a safe option for pediatric…
Read MoreGross Motor Function Measure – Article Summary
Title: Impact of Resistance Therapy on Motor Function in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Authors: Luisa Collado-Garrido, Paula Parás-Bravo, Pilar Calvo-Martín, and Miguel Santibáñez-Margüello Purpose: The purpose of this article was to identify the effects of resistance training on children with cerebral palsy via a meta-analysis. Study Population: School-aged children ≤18 years old with cerebral palsy. Methods: A bibliographic review was performed on articles from PubMed, ISI, and PEDro related to cerebral palsy and resistance training ranged up to 2018. References from the selected articles were also manually reviewed in addition. In total, 1,795 articles were gathered from these sources, narrowed down to 15 articles following inclusion/exclusion criteria. Included articles are of controlled and non-controlled clinical trials of school-aged children (≤18) with CP, focused on resistance training-based intervention, utilizing outcome measures to describe changes in motor function before and after intervention. Outcome Measures: The Gross Motor…
Read MoreGross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) – Article Review
Article Title: The Effectiveness of Hippotherapy to Recover Gross Motor Function in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Purpose: To analyze effectiveness of Hippotherapy (HPT) interventions on gross motor function in children with CP Study Population, Methods, & Outcome Measures: Comprehensive literature search through PubMed, Web of Science (WoS), Scopus, and Embase databases with keywords: “hippotherapy” & “cerebral palsy” and no publication date nor language filters Inclusion criteria based on PICOS model: population had to have a CP diagnosis, intervention had to be HPT, comparison had to be between HPT and traditional PT intervention or placebo, outcome had to be GMFM, and study design had to be RCT Exclusion criteria: studies with healthy participants, >1 intervention comparison, and use of HPT simulators to carry out intervention Two reviewers independently selected, reviewed, and extracted data from the chosen articles PEDro used to assess methodological quality of the studies: A…
Read MoreRehabilitation treatment of spastic cerebral palsy with radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy and rehabilitation therapy article summary
The purpose of this article is to examine the use of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (rESWT) and rehabilitation therapy for the treatment of spastic cerebral palsy. Cerebral Palsy has a prevalence of 2.0-3.5 births out of every 100. This is prospective randomized control study. This study consisted of 82 children between the ages of 6 years to 12 years, this study was performed over the course of 3 years (2014-2017). Inclusion criteria consisted of 1) being between the ages of 6 and 12, 2) having spastic cerebral palsy, and 3) received multi-stage surgical strategy in the hospital for 6 weeks after lower extremity lysis operation, and 4) were able to participate in shock wave and routine rehabilitation. The participants were split into two groups the treatment group (n=43) and the control group (n=39). Both groups, treatment and control, underwent regular treatment including physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and…
Read MoreArticle Review: Selective motor control and gross motor function in bilateral cerebral palsy
Purpose: Investigate the relationship between the Selective Control Assessment of the Lower Extremity (SCALE), muscle volume, Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-66), and the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) in individuals with cerebral palsy. Study Population: The population recruited for this study included 11 male participants between the age of 12 to 25 years old with a diagnosis of bilateral spastic CP and were a level I-IV on the Gross Motor Function Classification System. Those who had underwent surgery, serial casting, or had been given botox injections in the past year were excluded. Methods/Intervention: In order to obtain muscle volume, all participants underwent a magnetic resonance image (MRI) of both lower extremities to obtain imaging for 18 muscles in each lower extremity. Muscle volumes were averaged between both lower extremities and normalized to body mass. The measurements were obtained by two examiners, and inter-rater reliability was established. Outcome Measures: On the same…
Read MoreGross Motor Function Measure Article Summary
Purpose: The purpose of the study was to assess gait changes over time after children diagnosed with cerebral palsy received a botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) injection. Study population: The study included nine children between the ages of 4 and 8 years old diagnosed with wither hemiplegic or diplegic cerebral palsy, of which the gross motor functional classification system (GMFCS) was used to assess the severity. Each participant had previously received BTX-A treatment 2-15 times, one of which had been in the last 3-6 months. Methods and Intervention: BTX-A injections were placed in the following muscles, different per participant: hip adductor muscle, rectus femoris, hamstrings, gastrocs, soleus, tibialis posterior and upper limb muscles. Measurements were taken before the injection, and at 4-weeks, 8-weeks and 12 weeks post-injection. Outcome measures: The participants were brought in to have measurements performed four times throughout the study: before BTX-A injection, 4 weeks post-injection, 8…
Read MoreComparing quality of life and habitual physical activity in children with cerebral palsy.
Purpose: This study examined the association between ambulatory status, based on the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), Habitual Physical Activity (HPA), and Quality of Life (QOL) in children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) at the age of 5. Study Population: This study used children with CP at the age of 5. Participants could not have lesions that were progression or neurodegenerative. Methods, Outcome Measures, and Intervention: Participants were assessed based on Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) 66 item, as well as placed into ambulatory categories based on the GMFCS in five groups, Level I independent walking without restrictions, Level II independent walking with limited on uneven surfaces, Level III walking with an assistive device, Level IV limited self-mobility or use power mobility, Level V severely limited self-mobility and used wheeled mobility. HPA was determined by placing an ActiGraph triaxial accelerometer around the lower back of the child for a period…
Read MoreContributing Factors Analysis for the Changes of the Gross Motor Function in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy After Physical Therapy
Additional information about the GMFM: There is no overall magnitude of change for the GMFM-66 that is “clinically important.” As physical therapists, we must use our clinical judgment to determine this magnitude for each child that we encounter. CanChild Resources. Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM). Accessed Feb 25th 2018. Article Review Contributing Factors Analysis for the Changes of the Gross Motor Function in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy After Physical Therapy Purpose: This study was aimed to assess different factors that may impact gross motor function in those patients with spastic cerebral palsy. Study population: The patients were children diagnosis with spastic cerebral palsy from 2 to 6 years old. This study included 24 males and 21 females (45 children total) with spastic CP. Those included were not allowed to receive botulinum toxin injection or surgery within the past 6 months. Methods: It was a retrospective study reviewing patient’s…
Read MoreFactors Influencing the Gross Motor Outcome of Intensive Therapy in Children with Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Delay
Updated Information: The price of the current GMFM user manual (2nd edition, Wiley Publishing Co) has increased to $143.00 since the previous postings. The scoring program, GMAE-2, can be downloaded for free at www.canchild.ca. At this time, there are no additional updates to the information reported in the posts above. Article Summary: Title: Factors Influencing the Gross Motor Outcome of Intensive Therapy in Children with Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Delay Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify factors that are influential in determining the effectiveness of intensive therapy programs on gross motor function in children who have cerebral palsy (CP) or various developmental delays. Study Population: The population of this study targets children with CP or developmental delays. Inclusion criteria for this study required participants to be less than 7 years old with developmental delays that required both physical and occupational therapy. Mean age at…
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