Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Purpose
To investigate the effectiveness of outpatient robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) in ambulatory children with spastic cerebral palsy.Methods
Children were randomized to two different intervention sequences within a pragmatic crossover design. They performed five weeks of RAGT (3 sessions per week) and five weeks of usual care (UC). Dimension E of the Gross Motor Function Measure-88 (GMFM E) as the primary outcome as well as Dimension D (GMFM D), and timed walking tests were assessed before and after each treatment sequence and after a 5-week follow-up.Results
The trial was stopped early because of recruitment problems. We included 16 children with a mean age of 11.3 years (6.0-15.3 years). GMFM E median (IQR) change scores were -0.7 (-2.8 to 3.5) after RAGT and 0 (-2.4 to 2.4) after UC. Neither GMFM E nor any secondary outcome measure changed significantly after RAGT or UC, nor were any period, follow-up, or carry-over effects observable.Conclusions
RAGT as a single intervention was not effective in improving walking abilities in the included children. It should be embedded in a holistic treatment approach, as it cannot cover all aspects relevant to gait. Furthermore, children's personalized rehabilitation goals should be carefully monitored with individualized measurement instruments.
SUBMITTER: Ammann-Reiffer C
PROVIDER: S-EPMC7458505 | biostudies-literature | 2020
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Ammann-Reiffer Corinne C Bastiaenen Caroline H G CHG Meyer-Heim Andreas D AD van Hedel Hubertus J A HJA
Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicine 20200101 2
<h4>Purpose</h4>To investigate the effectiveness of outpatient robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) in ambulatory children with spastic cerebral palsy.<h4>Methods</h4>Children were randomized to two different intervention sequences within a pragmatic crossover design. They performed five weeks of RAGT (3 sessions per week) and five weeks of usual care (UC). Dimension E of the Gross Motor Function Measure-88 (GMFM E) as the primary outcome as well as Dimension D (GMFM D), and timed walking tests w ...[more]