Dynamic Gait Index in Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy

Marmara University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Gait Disorders, Neurologic; Cerebral Palsy; Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy

Treatments: Other: Dynamic Gait Index

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03662139

02.04.2018-113

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to assess validity and reliability of Dynamic Gait Index (DGI) in patients with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy

Full description

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a childhood onset, lifelong neurological disorder, attributed to non-progressive injury of the fetal or immature brain. It causes movement deterioration and activity limitation. In CP patients increase in slow walking speed, shorter step length, and longer duration in the double support phase are common. Such gait changes are thought to reflect the unbalanced walking pattern seen in these children. Although children with CP are well known to have poor balance and high fall incidence, little effort has been made to quantify the dynamic walking stability of these children.

The Dynamic Gait Index (DGI) is a performance-based tool developed by Shumway-Cook and Woollacott to quantitatively measure dynamic balance capabilities. It also evaluates the individual's ability to modify gait in response to changing gait task requirements. Despite it's widespread use in the elderly population, DGI has not yet been investigated in children with neurological conditions. Considering that it takes a little time to apply the test, it may be advantageous for children in terms of simplicity and ease of administration.

In this study the investigators aim to validate and assess interrater and test - retest reliabilities of Turkish version of Dynamic Gait Index in children with unilateral, spastic cerebral palsy.

Enrollment: 32 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 6 to 14 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Confirmed diagnosis of spastic unilateral cerebral palsy
• Age between 4 - 16
• Able to stand and walk without any orthosis or special equipment
• Volunteer to study

Exclusion criteria

• Being unable to walk
• Having cognitive disorder
• History of orthopedic surgery or any intervention for spasticity within the previous 12 months
• Uncontrolled epilepsy
• Visual conditions that prevent full participation to assessments
• Lower extremity contracture that may affect assessments

Trial design

32 participants in 2 patient groups

Cerebral Palsy Group

Description:

16 patients will be included. Dynamic Gait Index and other assessments will be performed twice with a 7 - 10 day interval by two evaluators

Treatment:

Other: Dynamic Gait Index

Healthy Control Group

Description:

16 healthy children will be included. Dynamic Gait Index and other assessments will be performed twice with a 7 - 10 day interval by two evaluators

Treatment:

Other: Dynamic Gait Index