Support Treadmill Training for Children with Cerebral Palsy

2010

Bodyweight support treadmill training has been shown to be a valuable therapy for the restoration of walking mobility in individuals with stroke and spinal cord injury. However, limited efforts have been made to explore the feasibility of using treadmill training for children with cerebral palsy. The purpose of this investigation is to determine if a six-week bodyweight support treadmill training protocol can improve the walking patterns of children with cerebral palsy. Our protocol is unique in that it will use a novel device that supports the child?s bodyweight via a flexible enclosure that surrounds the treadmill. A computer-controlled system varies the amount of air pressure in the enclosure, which alters the amount of bodyweight that is supported. Five children with cerebral palsy will participate in this investigation. Each child will receive six weeks of bodyweight support treadmill training. We will measure changes in the child?s flexibility, strength, balance and walking mechanics. These measures will be taken before training, at the completion of each week of training, and one month after training.

Walking

Training Trainees, Performing Research or Evaluation

Health-Related Activities

Children/Adolescents with Disabilities/SHCN

Specific Groups

Mulit-County

N/A