Does Increasing Auditory Cueing Affect Gait Parameters in Children With Cerebral Palsy During a Functional Task?

Institute of Child Health

Status: Completed

Conditions: Cerebral Palsy; Children

Treatments: Device: Auditory Cueing

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02666560

141A22

Details and patient eligibility

About

To determine the clinical efficacy of auditory cueing using a cross over design to investigate whether increasing auditory cueing frequency by 20% above self paced cadence affects gait parameters in children with Cerebral Palsy when performing a functional task.

Full description

Introduction: Cerebral Palsy is a non progressive disorder occurring in early brain development, resulting in inefficient ambulatory pattern. The use of sensory cues to facilitate loco-motor activity has been suggested as providing the necessary trigger to synchronise movement with greater beneficial outcomes observed at higher frequency intensities within the adult population. Thus auditory cueing could have the potential to alter gait parameters during a functional task.

Aim: To explore if increasing auditory cueing frequency (AC20) affects gait during a functional task compared to auditory cueing at self-paced cadence (ACSC).

Method: Nineteen children with CP levels 1 and 2 on the Gross Motor Function Classification Scale participated using paired analysis. Outcomes were compared to the mean values for temporal spatial gait data within the conditions using a cross over design. TS data was obtained by using the GAITRite® walkway system whilst walking holding a cup.

Enrollment: 19 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 5 to 11 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Children with Cerebral Palsy aged 5 to 11 years old who were scored as levels 1 to 2 on the Gross Motor Function Classification Scale.
• Cognitive status average or above on the Weschler Intelligence Scale for children.
• Able to hear without the use of a hearing aid.

Exclusion criteria

• Hearing impairment that results in the use of a hearing aid.
• Walking with assistance of a mobility aid.
• Cardiovascular problems or other associated health problems which limits the child waking multiple times over the GAITRite®.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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19 participants in 2 patient groups

Auditory cueing at self paced cadence

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants performed a functional task with auditory cueing set at self paced cadence.

Treatment:

Device: Auditory Cueing

Cueing at 20% above self paced cadence

Experimental group

Description:

Participants performed a functional task with auditory cueing set at 20% above self paced cadence whilst performing a functional task.

Treatment:

Device: Auditory Cueing