Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Growth and Development Disorders in Pediatrics

Background : Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a collection of motor disorders resulting from damage to brain that occurs before, during, or after birth. Diplegia is the most common form of spastic CP. A white matter infarct in the periventricular areas caused by hypoxia can lead to spastic diplegic CP. The Upsee is a new approach that may enable the child to achieve an upright position and mobile weight bearing through their lower limbs. Partial body weight support treadmill training (BWSTT) is one method used in neurological rehabilitation of children that provides task-specific gait training with multiple repetitions. The purpose: Was to determine the difference between the effect of Upsee and partial body weight support treadmill training on gait pattern in children with spastic diplegia. Subjects: Forty-five spastic diplegic children of both sexes participated in this study, they were divided randomly into three equal groups (group A, group B and group C). Materials: The children in the group A received the traditional physical therapy program for diplegic children in addition to gait training program for thirty minutes, three times per week for three months. Children in group B received the same physical therapy program in addition to the Upsee training. Children in group C received the same traditional program in addition to BWSTT. Methods: Three groups were evaluated before and after the treatment programs by Tracker Video Analysis and Modeling Tool. Results: The results revealed that there was statistically significant improvements in hip and knee joints angles pre and post treatment at different measuring periods during gait cycle subphases in three groups in favor to group B than other groups. Conclusion: Using of Upsee mobility device is more effective than partial body weight with treadmill training in improving kinematics of the gait in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy

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