Article Summary-Effect of Core Stability Exercises and Treadmill Training on Balance in Children with Down Syndrome: Randomized Controlled Trial- Asakhawi 2019
Purpose: This study was conducted to research the effects of core stability interventions versus treadmill training on dynamic balance in children with Down syndrome. Children with Down syndrome have difficulty maintaining posture and have an abnormal gait pattern, therefore, increasing their risk of falls. There has not been much research on this topic but the research that has been done concludes that core stabilization training in children with Down syndrome can improve static balance and reduce the risk of falls, while treadmill training strengthens the lower extremities, improving the gait pattern and decreasing fall risk. This study was a randomized control trial. Population: There were 45 children with Down syndrome total in this study with ages ranging from 4-6 years old. All of the subjects came from a specific clinic in Egypt. Exclusion criteria included children with any neurological, musculoskeletal, or mobility disorders, cardiac abnormalities, and vision or hearing loss….
Read MoreThe effects of hippotherapy on postural balance and functional ability in children with cerebral palsy – Article Summary
Moraes AG, Copetti F, Angelo VR, Chiavoloni LL, David AC. The effects of hippotherapy on postural balance and functional ability in children with cerebral palsy. J Phys Ther Sci. 2016 Aug;28(8):2220-6. doi: 10.1589/jpts.28.2220. Epub 2016 Aug 31. PMID: 27630401; PMCID: PMC5011565. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of hippotherapy on seated posture balance, dynamic balance, and functional performance in children with cerebral palsy. It was hypothesized that hippotherapy would have a positive change with regard to these things and that 24 sessions would yield better improvement compared to 12 sessions. Population: 15 children with CP participated. Inclusion criteria: CP diagnosis, 5-10 years old, understanding of simple commands, ability to maintain seated posture with no help for 10s, and hip abduction of at least 20 degrees. Methods: Balance in sitting was recorded 1 week before beginning, after 12 sessions, and after 24 sessions….
Read MorePediatric Balance Scale (PBS)- Article Summary
Article Title: Ankle Passive and Active Movement Training in Children with Acute Brain Injury Using a Wearable Robot Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a wearable robotic device in promoting neuroplasticity and improving ankle motor control through forceful stretching and active movement in the pediatric population following acute TBI. Study Population: Ten children (7 girls, 3 boys) with acute brain injury were asked to participate in this study. All participants were current patients at an inpatient rehabilitation facility. The ages of the participants ranged from 7-20 years old with a mean age of 13 years old. Each of the participants had impairment in at least one of their lower extremities and experienced varying amounts of voluntary ankle control ranging from minimal to flaccid paralysis. Methods: The wearable rehabilitation robot was utilized with each of the ten participants to provide passive-active ankle movement and guided isometric torque generation into…
Read MorePsychometric Properties of the Pediatric Balance Scale Using Rasch Analysis
Article Summary: Psychometric Properties of the Pediatric Balance Scale Using Rasch Analysis Background: The Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) measures functional balance and was designed for the school age population. Functional balance is defined by the PBS as “the ability of a child to attain and maintain upright control during typical childhood activities of daily living, school, and play”. The purpose of the PBS is to identify children without age-appropriate balance which may be related to developmental delay or decreased safety, and then objectively track changes in balance due to intervention, maturation or regression. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the validity of the PBS to different age groups of children in order to identify and treat balance disorders most effectively by physical therapists. Study Population: 13 studies (from 1994 to 2011) including 823 children, aged 2 to 13 years, were retrospectively analyzed with uni- and multidimensional Rasch partial…
Read MorePediatric Berg Reviewed
Pediatric Berg Balance Test reviewed and is current. Kim Y, Lee BH. Clinical Usefulness of Child-centered Task-oriented Training on Balance Ability in Cerebral Palsy. J Phys Ther Sci. 2013;25(8):947-51. This study utilizes the Pediatric Berg Balance Test to examine the benefits of functional training on kids with cerebral palsy. 26 kids from 9-13 years old (mean 11.8), received two 40 minutes sessions a week for 15 weeks. The participants were in a room with a physical therapist that had a variety of intervention areas, including a swing, hammock, physioball, sway board, gym mat, balance beam, and several other game-type activities. The PT observed until the child spent at least 2 continuous minutes in a given area and then intervened. The therapist provided verbal and tactile cues and utilized a mirror for visual feedback to address any compensatory strategies or abnormal movement patterns. The researchers analyzed the Pediatric Berg results by…
Read MorePediatric Balance Scale
Descriptive Information Title, Dates of Publication: Pediatric Berg Balance Scale,2003 Author (s): Mary Rose Franjoine, MS, PT, PCS, Joan S. Gunther, PhD, PT, and Mary Jean Taylor, MA, PT, PCS Source: Research Report Costs: Free to download; requires items that can generally be found in the clinic Purpose: Assess balance in school age children Type of Test: screening, evaluative Target Population and Ages: school age children (5- 15) for children with mild to moderate motor impairments; typically developing children plateau around age 7-8 2,3 Time Requirements – Administration and Scoring: <15 mins Test Administration Administration: This is a 14 item test. Verbal instructions for each item are given. The child may receive one practice trial per item. If the child is unable to understand the directions, a second trial may be given. Verbal and visual instructions are given to clarify. Scoring: Each item is scored 0 – 4 Type of…
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