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The Effects of an Electromechanical Gait Trainer in Gait Impairments and Endurance in Patients With Cerebral Palsy: a Randomized Control Trial
In Brief
A Early Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating Device: Electromechanical gait trainer and Convetional control treatment for Cerebral Palsy. Completed, enrolled 20 participants across 1 site.
Detailed Summary
Cerebral Palsy (CP) describes a group of chronic conditions affecting body movement and muscle coordination caused by damage to one or more areas of the brain, usually occurring during fetal development or infancy. One of the most disabling mobility impairments in CP is gait impairment, clinically characterized by reduced speed and endurance, as well as reduced step, stride length and toe clearance during gait. Recently, gait rehabilitation methods in patients with neurological impairment have relied on technological devices, which drive the patient's gait in a body-weight support condition and emphasize the beneficial role of repetitive practice. Early studies in gait rehabilitation in patients with CP were carried out by using partial body-weight support treadmill training (PBWSTT) and robotic-assisted treadmill therapy. Despite their potential, these technologies have practical limitations in their routine application. More recently, several studies have focused on the use of a new electromechanical gait trainer (Gait Trainer GT I; Reha-Stim, Berlin, Germany) in adult patients who have experienced a stroke. They have shown that training with this device may significantly improve gait performance. Despite the clinical impact of this new rehabilitative procedure, to date, no studies have been conducted on its use in children with CP.
Study Details
Timeline
Interventions
The experimental group will be subjected to 12-30 minute session (3 per week: Monday, Wednesday, Friday) of repetitive locomotor therapy on the Gait Trainer (Reha-Stim, Berlin, Germany), followed by 20 minutes of passive joint mobilization and stretching exercises. The GT-I consists of a double crank and rocker gear system, composed of two footplates positioned on two bars (coupler), two rockers, and two cranks that provide the propulsion. While using the gait trainer, individuals are secured in a harness and positioned on two footplates, whose movements simulate stance and swing phase, with a ratio of 60% to 40% between the two phases. The body weight was initially reduced by 30% and then progressively increased.
The control group will be subjected to a conventional treatment that will consist of three different sets of exercises: 1) passive joint mobilization and stretching of lower limb muscles; 2) muscle strengthening exercises; 3) gait exercises. Each set of exercises lasted 10, 15 and 15 min, respectively with 2,5 min at rest between each set for a total of 40 minutes.