The Effects of Varying Ankle Foot Orthosis Stiffness on Gait in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy Who Walk with Excessive Knee Flexion

Introduction

Rigid Ankle-Foot Orthoses (AFOs) are commonly prescribed to counteract excessive knee flexion during the stance phase of gait in children with cerebral palsy (CP). While rigid AFOs may normalize knee kinematics and kinetics effectively, it has the disadvantage of impeding push-off power. A spring-like AFO may enhance push-off power, which may come at the cost of reducing the knee flexion less effectively. Optimizing this trade-off between enhancing push-off power and normalizing knee flexion in stance is expected to maximize gait efficiency. This study investigated the effects of varying AFO stiffness on gait biomechanics and efficiency in children with CP who walk with excessive knee flexion in stance. Fifteen children with spastic CP (11 boys, 10±2 years) were prescribed with a ventral shell spring-hinged AFO (vAFO). The hinge was set into a rigid, or spring-like setting, using both a stiff and flexible performance. At baseline (i.e. shoes-only) and for each vAFO, a 3D-gait analysis and 6-minute walk test with breath-gas analysis were performed at comfortable speed. Lower limb joint kinematics and kinetics were calculated. From the 6-minute walk test, walking speed and the net energy cost were determined. A generalized estimation equation (p<0.05) was used to analyze the effects of different conditions. Compared to shoes-only, all vAFOs improved the knee angle and net moment similarly. Ankle power generation and work were preserved only by the spring-like vAFOs. All vAFOs decreased the net energy cost compared to shoes-only, but no differences were found between vAFOs, showing that the effects of spring-like vAFOs to promote push-off power did not lead to greater reductions in walking energy cost. These findings suggest that, in this specific group of children with spastic CP, the vAFO stiffness that maximizes gait efficiency is primarily determined by its effect on knee kinematics and kinetics rather than by its effect on push-off power.

Trial Registration

Dutch Trial Register NTR3418     

Disruption of Basal Lamina Components in Neuromotor Synapses of Children with Spastic Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a static encephalopathy occurring when a lesion to the developing brain results in disordered movement and posture. Patients present with sometimes overlapping spastic, athetoid/dyskinetic, and ataxic symptoms. Spastic CP, which is characterized by stiff muscles, weakness, and poor motor control, accounts for ∼80% of cases. The detailed mechanisms leading to disordered movement in spastic CP are not completely understood, but clinical experience and recent studies suggest involvement of peripheral motor synapses. For example, it is recognized that CP patients have altered sensitivities to drugs that target neuromuscular junctions (NMJs), and protein localization studies suggest that NMJ microanatomy is disrupted in CP. Since CP originates during maturation, we hypothesized that NMJ disruption in spastic CP is associated with retention of an immature neuromotor phenotype later in life. Scoliosis patients with spastic CP or idiopathic disease were enrolled in a prospective, partially-blinded study to evaluate NMJ organization and neuromotor maturation. The localization of synaptic acetylcholine esterase (AChE) relative to postsynaptic acetylcholine receptor (AChR), synaptic laminin β2, and presynaptic vesicle protein 2 (SV2) appeared mismatched in the CP samples; whereas, no significant disruption was found between AChR and SV2. These data suggest that pre- and postsynaptic NMJ components in CP children were appropriately distributed even though AChE and laminin β2 within the synaptic basal lamina appeared disrupted. Follow up electron microscopy indicated that NMJs from CP patients appeared generally mature and similar to controls with some differences present, including deeper postsynaptic folds and reduced presynaptic mitochondria. Analysis of maturational markers, including myosin, syntrophin, myogenin, and AChR subunit expression, and telomere lengths, all indicated similar levels of motor maturation in the two groups. Thus, NMJ disruption in CP was found to principally involve components of the synaptic basal lamina and subtle ultra-structural modifications but appeared unrelated to neuromotor maturational status.     

功能性电刺激对痉挛型双瘫型脑瘫患儿下肢运动功能的影响

目的:探讨功能性电刺激(FES)对痉挛型双瘫型脑瘫患儿下肢运动功能的影响。方法:将2012年7月-2014年6月我院儿科康复中心141例痉挛型双瘫脑瘫患儿随机分为观察组(73例)与对照组(68例),对照组采用常规综合康复治疗,观察组在此基础上再给予FES治疗,持续治疗12周,在治疗前及治疗后12周后测定MAS评分、踝关节背屈活动度(ROM)评分以及粗大运动功能测试量表(GMFM)评分。结果:经治疗12周后,两组ROM评分和GMFM评分均显著高于治疗前(P0.05),且观察组上升更明显(P0.05);两组MAS评分均显著低于治疗前(P0.05),且观察组降低更明显(P0.05)。结论:FES结合运动训练可显著缓解下肢肌群痉挛程度,改善踝关节运动范围和功能,促进下肢运动功能的恢复,值得临床推广。     

Multilevel Upper Body Movement Control during Gait in Children with Cerebral Palsy

Upper body movements during walking provide information about balance control and gait stability. Typically developing (TD) children normally present a progressive decrease of accelerations from the pelvis to the head, whereas children with cerebral palsy (CP) exhibit a general increase of upper body accelerations. However, the literature describing how they are transmitted from the pelvis to the head is lacking. This study proposes a multilevel motion sensor approach to characterize upper body accelerations and how they propagate from pelvis to head in children with CP, comparing with their TD peers. Two age- and gender-matched groups of 20 children performed a 10m walking test at self-selected speed while wearing three magneto-inertial sensors located at pelvis, sternum, and head levels. The root mean square value of the accelerations at each level was computed in a local anatomical frame and its variation from lower to upper levels was described using attenuation coefficients. Between-group differences were assessed performing an ANCOVA, while the mutual dependence between acceleration components and the relationship between biomechanical parameters and typical clinical scores were investigated using Regression Analysis and Spearman’s Correlation, respectively (α = 0.05). New insights were obtained on how the CP group managed the transmission of accelerations through the upper body. Despite a significant reduction of the acceleration from pelvis to sternum, children with CP do not compensate for large accelerations, which are greater than in TD children. Furthermore, those with CP showed negative sternum-to-head attenuations, in agreement with the documented rigidity of the head-trunk system observed in this population. In addition, the estimated parameters proved to correlate with the scores used in daily clinical practice. The proposed multilevel approach was fruitful in highlighting CP-TD gait differences, supported the in-field quantitative gait assessment in children with CP and might prove beneficial to designing innovative intervention protocols based on pelvis stabilization.     

痉挛型脑瘫手术加康复分段梯度治疗的临床研究

目的：探索选择性脊神经后根切断术（selective posterior rhizotomy,SPR）、外周神经缩窄术、下肢矫形术加康复个性化的组合方式对痉孪性脑瘫的疗效,寻找最佳的综合治疗方案。方法：对2007．2到2008．11期间32例痉挛性脑瘫患者,男24例,女8例。平均年龄7．1岁,完成手术加康复的分段梯度疗法,采用自身前后对照研究。进行治疗前、治疗后脑瘫分项功能评分和脑瘫痉挛临床分项评估以及肌力评价及总体疗效评估。结果：梯度疗法治疗后,脑瘫分项中坐姿、躯干活动、蹲立变换分别是94％、91％和91％,均有显著性意义;踝阵孪和Babinski征改善率分别为97．2％和54％。脑瘫分项功能的评分的恢复率均在80％以上。全组疗效优18例（56．3％）,良12例（37．5％）,可2例（6．2％）,优良率93．8％。结论：分度梯度疗法是治疗各种痉挛性脑瘫的有效途径。     

痉挛型脑瘫手术加康复分段梯度治疗的临床研究

目的:探索选择性脊神经后根切断术(selective posterior rhizotomy,SPR)、外周神经缩窄术、下肢矫形术加康复个性化的组合方式对痉挛性脑瘫的疗效,寻找最佳的综合治疗方案。方法:对2007.2到2008.11期间32例痉挛性脑瘫患者,男24例,女8例,平均年龄7.1岁,完成手术加康复的分段梯度疗法,采用自身前后对照研究。进行治疗前、治疗后脑瘫分项功能评分和脑瘫痉挛临床分项评估以及肌力评价及总体疗效评估。结果:梯度疗法治疗后,脑瘫分项中坐姿、躯干活动、蹲立变换分别是94%、91%和91%,均有显著性意义;踝阵挛和Babinski征改善率分别为97.2%和54%。脑瘫分项功能的评分的恢复率均在80%以上。全组疗效优18例(56.3%),良12例(37.5%),可2例(6.2%),优良率93.8%。结论:分度梯度疗法是治疗各种痉挛性脑瘫的有效途径。     

痉挛型脑瘫中西医治疗研究进展

痉挛型脑瘫的治疗是一个值得探讨的课题,目前中西医治疗的各方法都取得了较好的疗效,但由于每个研究者采用的统计和分析方法不完全一致,每种方法的可重复性有待进一步研究.从进一步提高依从性,缩短疗程,增强疗效来看,每种方法各有优缺点.本人对目前的治疗方法做了简单的综述,目的在于探讨其治疗前景,并对未来的治疗提出了一定的展望.     

Gait Pattern Differences between Children with Mild Scoliosis and Children with Unilateral Cerebral Palsy

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of asymmetrical body posture alone, i.e., the effects seen in children with mild scoliosis, vs. the effects of body posture control impairment, i.e., those seen in children with unilateral cerebral palsy on gait patterns. Three-dimensional instrumented gait analysis (3DGA) was conducted in 45 children with hemiplegia and 51 children with mild scoliosis. All the children were able to walk without assistance devices. A set of 35 selected spatiotemporal gait and kinematics parameters were evaluated when subjects walked on a treadmill. A cluster analysis revealed 3 different gait patterns: a scoliotic gait pattern and 2 different hemiplegic gait patterns. The results showed that the discrepancy in gait patterns was not simply a lower limb kinematic deviation in the sagittal plane, as expected. Additional altered kinematics, such as pelvic misorientation in the coronal plane in both the stance and swing phases and inadequate stance phase hip ad/abduction, which resulted from postural pattern features, were distinguished between the 3 gait patterns. Our study provides evidence for a strong correlation between postural and gait patterns in children with unilateral cerebral palsy. Information on differences in gait patterns may be used to improve the guidelines for early therapy for children with hemiplegia before abnormal gait patterns are fully established. The gait pathology characteristic of scoliotic children is a potential new direction for treating scoliosis that complements the standard posture and walking control therapy exercises with the use of biofeedback.     

Growth in Children with Cerebral Palsy during five years after Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy: a practice-based study

Background  

Overweight is reported as a side effect of SDR. The aims were to study the development of weight, height and body mass index (BMI) during five years after SDR.     

Temporal but Not Spatial Variability during Gait Is Reduced after Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy in Children with Cerebral Palsy

Introduction

Variability in task output is a ubiquitous characteristic that results from non-continuous motor neuron firing during muscular force generation. However, variability can also be attributed to errors in control and coordination of the motor neurons themselves in diseases such as cerebral palsy (CP). Selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR), a neurosurgical approach to sever sensory nerve roots, is thought to decrease redundant or excessive afferent signalling to intramedullary neurons. In addition to its demonstrated ability to reduce muscular spasticity, we hypothesised that SDR is able to decrease variability during gait, the most frequent functional motor activity of daily living.

Methods

Twelve CP children (aged 6.1±1.3yrs), who underwent SDR and performed gait analysis pre- and 12 months postoperatively, were compared to a control group of eleven typically developing (TD) children. Coefficients of variability as well as mean values were analysed for: temporal variables of gait, spatial parameters and velocity.

Results

Gait parameters of cadence (p = 0.006) and foot progression angle at mid-stance (p = 0.041) changed significantly from pre- to post-SDR. The variability of every temporal parameter was significantly reduced after SDR (p = 0.003–0.049), while it remained generally unchanged for the spatial parameters. Only a small change in gait velocity was observed, but variability in cadence was significantly reduced after SDR (p = 0.015). Almost all parameters changed with a tendency towards normal, but differences between TD and CP children remained in all parameters.

Discussion

The results confirm that SDR improves functional gait performance in children with CP. However, almost exclusively, parameters of temporal variability were significantly improved, leading to the conjecture that temporal variability and spatial variability may be governed independently by the motor cortex. As a result, temporal parameters of task performance may be more vulnerable to disruption, but also more responsive to treatment success of interventions such as SDR.     

Effect of Motor Imagery in Children with Unilateral Cerebral Palsy: fMRI Study

Background

Motor imagery is considered as a promising therapeutic tool for rehabilitation of motor planning problems in patients with cerebral palsy. However motor planning problems may lead to poor motor imagery ability.

Aim

The aim of this functional magnetic resonance imaging study was to examine and compare brain activation following motor imagery tasks in patients with hemiplegic cerebral palsy with left or right early brain lesions. We tested also the influence of the side of imagined hand movement.

Method

Twenty patients with clinical hemiplegic cerebral palsy (sixteen males, mean age 12 years and 10 months, aged 6 years 10 months to 20 years 10 months) participated in this study. Using block design, brain activations following motor imagery of a simple opening-closing hand movement performed by either the paretic or nonparetic hand was examined.

Results

During motor imagery tasks, patients with early right brain damages activated bilateral fronto-parietal network that comprise most of the nodes of the network well described in healthy subjects. Inversely, in patients with left early brain lesion brain activation following motor imagery tasks was reduced, compared to patients with right brain lesions. We found also a weak influence of the side of imagined hand movement.

Conclusion

Decreased activations following motor imagery in patients with right unilateral cerebral palsy highlight the dominance of the left hemisphere during motor imagery tasks. This study gives neuronal substrate to propose motor imagery tasks in unilateral cerebral palsy rehabilitation at least for patients with right brain lesions.     

Riding Therapy as a Method of Rehabilitation of Children with Cerebral Palsy

Riding therapy (hippotherapy) is a novel progressive and original method for treating infantile cerebral palsy (ICP) and can be applied early in life. We examined 100 ICP patients aged from 3 to 14 years, who were divided into two equal groups, one assigned to riding therapy and the other (control) to therapeutic exercises by the Bobath method. It was shown that riding therapy is advisable because it maximally mobilizes the reserve possibilities of children for integrating perceptive and behavioral skills. We developed a protocol of therapeutic riding and scales for assessing its effect and demonstrated the efficacy of therapeutic riding.     

颈总动脉周围交感神经网剥脱切除术治疗学龄前脑瘫患儿的疗效及对患儿认知状况的影响

目的:探讨颈总动脉周围交感神经网剥脱切除术治疗学龄前脑瘫患儿的临床效果及对患儿认知状况影响。方法:选取2014年12月~2016年12月我院收治的学龄前脑瘫患儿84例,根据治疗方式的不同分为观察组与对照组,每组42例。对照组给予常规非手术治疗,观察组给予颈总动脉周围交感神经网剥脱切除术治疗,两组患儿均进行为期24周的随访观察。观察和比较两组的综合功能改善情况,治疗前后发育商、智商以及C因子值水平的变化。结果:观察组综合功能改善总有效率为95.24%(40/42),显著高于对照组的78.57%(33/42)(P0.05)。治疗后24周,观察组患儿的发育商值为(84.5±11.3),显著高于对照组(62.2±12.4)(P0.05);观察组患儿的智商值为(80.7±11.4),显著高于对照组(67.3±12.1)(P0.05);观察组患儿的C因子值为(12.8±4.0),显著高于对照组(9.9±3.3)(P0.05)。结论:颈总动脉周围交感神经网剥脱切除术治疗学龄前脑瘫患儿的临床效果显著,可有效改善患儿的认知状况。     

Visual Evoked Potentials and Disorders of Visual Function in Children Suffering from Cerebral Palsy

Using recording of visual evoked potentials (VEP), we examined 126 children (from 1 to 14 years old) suffering from spastic forms of cerebral palsy. In the overwhelming majority of cases (84.1%), we found in these patients significant modifications of the VEP related to dysfunctions of the visual analyzer system at different levels of the latter. We analyzed correlation of clinical manifestations of the disease with deviations of the VEP characteristics from the age norm. We conclude that an EEG examination, including VEP recording, allows one to obtain objective estimates of disorders of the visual function in the studied population of patients.     

Interlimb Coordination during Forward and Backward Walking in Primary School-Aged Children

Previous studies comparing forward (FW) and backward (BW) walking suggested that the leg kinematics in BW were essentially those of FW in reverse. This led to the proposition that in adults the neural control of FW and BW originates from the same basic neural circuitry. One aspect that has not received much attention is to what extent development plays a role in the maturation of neural control of gait in different directions. BW has been examined either in adults or infants younger than one year. Therefore, we questioned which changes occur in the intermediate phases (i.e. in primary school-aged children). Furthermore, previous research focused on the lower limbs, thereby raising the question whether upper limb kinematics are also simply reversed from FW to BW. Therefore, in the current study the emphasis was put both on upper and lower limb movements, and the coordination between the limbs. Total body 3D gait analysis was performed in primary school-aged children (N = 24, aged five to twelve years) at a preferred walking speed to record angular displacements of upper arm, lower arm, upper leg, lower leg, and foot with respect to the vertical (i.e. elevation angle). Kinematics and interlimb coordination were compared between FW and BW. Additionally, elevation angle traces of BW were reversed in time (revBW) and correlated to FW traces. Results showed that upper and lower limb kinematics of FW correlated highly to revBW kinematics in children, which appears to be consistent with the proposal that control of FW and BW may be similar. In addition, age was found to mildly alter lower limb kinematic patterns. In contrast, interlimb coordination was similar across all children, but was different compared to adults, measured for comparison. It is concluded that development plays a role in the fine-tuning of neural control of FW and BW.     

重复经颅磁刺激对痉挛型脑瘫患儿语言发育能力及运动功能的影响

目的:分析重复经颅磁刺激(rTMS)对痉挛型脑瘫患儿语言发育能力及运动功能的影响。方法:采用随机数字表法将54例我院于2015年8月至2016年8月收治的痉挛型脑瘫患儿分为观察组与对照组,每组27例,观察组患儿给予rTMS治疗,对照组给予常规的康复治疗。采用儿童语言发育迟缓检查法(S-S法)评价治疗前后患儿的语言发育能力,采用踝关节活动度及GMFM-88粗大运动功能测试表评估治疗前后患儿的运动功能。结果:治疗后两组患儿语言理解商与表达商较治疗前均增加,且观察组高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);观察组患儿总有效率为77.8%,高于对照组的51.9%,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);治疗后两组患儿踝关节活动度均增加,且治疗后观察组患儿踝关节活动度高于对照组(P0.05);治疗后两组患儿GMFM-88评分均增加,且治疗后观察组患儿GMFM-88评分高于对照组(P0.05)。结论:rTMS康复方法可以促进痉挛型脑瘫患儿的语言发育能力及运动功能,值得临床推广。     

Friction in Total Hip Joint Prosthesis Measured In Vivo during Walking

Friction-induced moments and subsequent cup loosening can be the reason for total hip joint replacement failure. The aim of this study was to measure the in vivo contact forces and friction moments during walking. Instrumented hip implants with Al₂O₃ ceramic head and an XPE inlay were used. In vivo measurements were taken 3 months post operatively in 8 subjects. The coefficient of friction was calculated in 3D throughout the whole gait cycle, and average values of the friction-induced power dissipation in the joint were determined. On average, peak contact forces of 248% of the bodyweight and peak friction moments of 0.26% bodyweight times meter were determined. However, contact forces and friction moments varied greatly between individuals. The friction moment increased during the extension phase of the joint. The average coefficient of friction also increased during this period, from 0.04 (0.03 to 0.06) at contralateral toe off to 0.06 (0.04 to 0.08) at contralateral heel strike. During the flexion phase, the coefficient of friction increased further to 0.14 (0.09 to 0.23) at toe off. The average friction-induced power throughout the whole gait cycle was 2.3 W (1.4 W to 3.8 W). Although more parameters than only the synovia determine the friction, the wide ranges of friction coefficients and power dissipation indicate that the lubricating properties of synovia are individually very different. However, such differences may also exist in natural joints and may influence the progression of arthrosis. Furthermore, subjects with very high power dissipation may be at risk of thermally induced implant loosening. The large increase of the friction coefficient during each step could be caused by the synovia being squeezed out under load.     

Associations of Sedentary Behaviour,Physical Activity,Blood Pressure and Anthropometric Measures with Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Children with Cerebral Palsy

Background

Children with cerebral palsy (CP) have poor cardiorespiratory fitness in comparison to their peers with typical development, which may be due to low levels of physical activity. Poor cardiorespiratory fitness may contribute to increased cardiometabolic risk.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to determine the association between sedentary behaviour, physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness in children with CP. An objective was to determine the association between cardiorespiratory fitness, anthropometric measures and blood pressure in children with CP.

Methods

This study included 55 ambulatory children with CP [mean (SD) age 11.3 (0.2) yr, range 6-17 yr; Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I and II]. Anthropometric measures (BMI, waist circumference and waist-height ratio) and blood pressure were taken. Cardiorespiratory fitness was measured using a 10 m shuttle run test. Children were classified as low, middle and high fitness according to level achieved on the test using reference curves. Physical activity was measured by accelerometry over 7 days. In addition to total activity, time in sedentary behaviour and light, moderate, vigorous, and sustained moderate-to-vigorous activity (≥10 min bouts) were calculated.

Results

Multiple regression analyses revealed that vigorous activity (β = 0.339, p<0.01), sustained moderate-to-vigorous activity (β = 0.250, p<0.05) and total activity (β = 0.238, p<0.05) were associated with level achieved on the shuttle run test after adjustment for age, sex and GMFCS level. Children with high fitness spent more time in vigorous activity than children with middle fitness (p<0.05). Shuttle run test level was negatively associated with BMI (r² = -0.451, p<0.01), waist circumference (r² = -0.560, p<0.001), waist-height ratio (r² = -0.560, p<0.001) and systolic blood pressure (r² = -0.306, p<0.05) after adjustment for age, sex and GMFCS level.

Conclusions

Participation in physical activity, particularly at a vigorous intensity, is associated with high cardiorespiratory fitness in children with CP. Low cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with increased cardiometabolic risk.     

经颅直流电刺激干预联合康复训练对痉挛型脑瘫患儿精细运动功能的影响

摘要 目的：探究经颅直流电刺激干预联合康复训练对痉挛型脑瘫患儿精细运动功能的影响。方法：选取2020年7月至2022年6月在我院儿童康复科收治的痉挛型脑瘫患儿116例为研究对象,按随机数字表法将患儿随机分为观察组、对照组,每组58例,对照组采用常规康复训练,观察组在对照组的基础上采用tDCS治疗。采用采用关节活动度量角器测定腕关节背伸关节活动度(AROM) ,采用脑瘫患儿精细运动功能测试量表（FMFM）评估患儿的双上肢精细操作能力,采用Peabody 精细运动发育量表(PDMS-FM)评定双手精细运动功能,采用改良Ashworth肌张力评定量表(MAS)评估患儿患侧上肢肘关节肌张力状况,比较两组治疗前后的各项指标差异变化。结果：治疗后两组患儿AROM评分较治疗前均显著增加,且观察组AROM评分显著高于对照组,差异具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。治疗后两组患儿FMFM评分较治疗前均显著增加,且观察组FMFM评分显著高于对照组,差异具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。治疗后两组患儿FMQ评分较治疗前均显著增加,且观察组FMQ评分显著高于对照组,差异具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。治疗后两组患儿MAS评分较治疗前均显著降低,且观察组MAS评分显著低于对照组,差异具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。结论：经颅直流电刺激干预联合康复训练可以显著改善痉挛型脑瘫患儿腕关节背伸关节活动度、双上肢精细操作能力、双手精细运动功能和患侧上肢肘关节肌张力,对精细运动功能具有改善作用。