Can muscle synergies shed light on the mechanisms underlying motor gains in response to robot-assisted gait training in children with cerebral palsy?

ABSTRACT:

Background

Children with cerebral palsy (CP) often experience gait impairments. Robot-assisted gait training (RGT) has been shown to have beneficial effects in this patient population. However, clinical outcomes of RGT vary substantially from patient to patient. This study explored the hypothesis that clinical outcomes are associated with changes in muscle synergies in response to RGT.

Methods

Thirteen children with CP and Gross Motor Function Classification Scale (GMFCS) levels I-IV were recruited in the study. Children participated in a 6 week-RGT intervention and underwent clinical evaluations and gait studies-with focus on the analysis of electromyographic (EMG) data-pre- and post-training. Lower-limb muscle synergies were derived from the EMG recordings. Pre- vs. post-R

SUBMITTER: Vergara-Diaz GP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11806738 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature