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- Bartonek, Åsa
(author)
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Ambulation in persons with myelomeningocele
- 2001
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The aim was to study ambulatory function in persons with myelomeningocele. Different systems used to classify the extent of motor paresis were compared. The classification according to five commonly used systems showed a lack of congruence in classes L3 level and downward. In relation to functional ambulation groups of Hoffer, none of the patients could be classified in the same categories by all classification systems. The patient's orthopedic and neurologic status with respect to ambulation was investigated and possible causative factors influencing ambulatory function were discriminated from the influence of the motor paresis. It was found that children with similar muscle paresis exhibit different ambulatory function due to other factors involved than the mere neurological lesion level. Change in ambulatory status studied over a 12- year observation time showed downward transitions in ambulatory level explained by deterioration of the neurological level of lesion, spasticity, knee and hip flexion contractures, as well as by those of major medical events. Upper body movements in children with lumbo-sacral neurological level were quantified with motion analysis indicating that independent walking with orthoses show well defined and consistent upper body movements with the amplitudes of the upper body segments significantly correlated to the degree of muscle weakness of the lower limbs. No differences were seen in upper body segment displacements during walking with a knee-ankle-foot orthoses versus foot-ankle orthosis. This result is considered to be influenced by the achieved orthosis gait pattern and the material of the orthosis. Examination of energy expenditure in children with lumbo-sacral neurological level indicated that children with weaker hip muscles had higher energy effort as compared to children with better hip extension and abduction strength, although the difference was not statistically significant. Since energy expenditure while walking with the knee-ankle-foot orthosis was not found to be higher as compared to an ankle-foot orthosis we advise the former during childhood to vertically align the knee with shank and foot, particularly relevant in children with reduced hip abductor strength
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| 4. |
- Engström, Pähr, et al.
(author)
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Botulinum toxin A does not improve cast treatment for idiopathic toe-walking - a randomized controlled trial
- 2013
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In: Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. American volume. - 0021-9355 .- 1535-1386. ; 95:5, s. 400-407
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: There are many treatments for idiopathic toe-walking, including casts with or without injection of botulinum toxin A. Combined treatment with casts and botulinum toxin A has become more common even though there have been few studies of its efficacy and safety problems. Our aims were to conduct a randomized controlled trial to test the hypotheses that combined treatment with casts and botulinum toxin A is more effective than casts alone in reducing toewalking by patients five to fifteen years of age, and that the treatment effect correlates with the extent of coexisting neuropsychiatric problems. Methods: All patients who had been consecutively admitted to the pediatric orthopaedics department of our institution because of idiopathic toe-walking between November 2005 and April 2010 were considered for inclusion in the study. Forty-seven children constituted the study population. The children were randomized to undergo four weeks of treatment with below-the-knee casts either as the sole intervention or to undergo the cast treatment one to two weeks after receiving injections of botulinum toxin A into the calves. Before treatment and three and twelve months after cast removal, all children underwent three-dimensional (3-D) gait analysis. The severity of the idiopathic toe-walking was classified on the basis of the gait analysis, and the parents rated the time that their child spent on his/her toes during barefoot walking. Passive hip, knee, and ankle motion as well as ankle dorsiflexor strength were measured. Before treatment, all children were evaluated with a screening questionnaire for neuropsychiatric problems. Results: No differences were found in any outcome parameter between the groups before treatment or at three or twelve months after cast removal. Several gait-analysis parameters, passive ankle motion, and ankle dorsiflexor strength were improved at both three and twelve months in both groups, even though many children still demonstrated some degree of toe-walking. The treatment outcomes were not correlated with coexisting neuropsychiatric problems. Conclusion: Adding botulinum toxin-A injections prior to cast treatment for idiopathic toe-walking does not improve the outcome of cast-only treatment. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
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| 5. |
- Engström, Pähr, et al.
(author)
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Does Botulinum toxin A improve the walking pattern in children with idiopathic toe-walking?
- 2010
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In: Journal of Children's Orthopaedics. - : SAGE Publications. - 1863-2521 .- 1863-2548. ; 4:4, s. 301-308
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Numerous recommendations have been made for treating idiopathic toe-walking (ITW), but the treatment results have been questioned. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether botulinum toxin A (BTX) improves the walking pattern in ITW as examined with 3-D gait analysis. Participants and methods: A consecutive series of 15 children (aged 5-13 years) were enrolled in the study. The children underwent a 3-D gait analysis prior to treatment with a total of 6 units/kg bodyweight Botox® in the calf muscles and an exercise program. The gait analysis was repeated 3 weeks and 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment. A classification of toe-walking severity was made before treatment and after 12 months. The parents rated the perceived amount of toe-walking prior to treatment and 6 and 12 months after treatment. Results: Eleven children completed the 12-month follow-up. The gait analysis results displayed a significant improvement, indicating decreased plantarflexion angle at initial contact and during swing phase and increased dorsiflexion angle during midstance at all post-treatment testing instances. According to the parents' perception of toe-walking, 3/11 children followed for 12 months had ceased toe-walking completely, 4/11 decreased toe-walking, and 4/11 continued toe-walking. After 6-12 months, the toe-walking severity classification improved in 9 of the 14 children for whom data could be assessed. Conclusions: A single injection of BTX in combination with an exercise program can improve the walking pattern in children with ITW seen at gait analysis, but the obvious goal of ceasing toe-walking is only occasionally reached.
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| 6. |
- Eriksson, Marie, et al.
(author)
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Gait pattern in children with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita
- 2010
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In: Journal of Children's Orthopaedics. - : SAGE Publications. - 1863-2521 .- 1863-2548. ; 4:1, s. 21-31
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose: Lower limb contractures and muscle weakness are common in children with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC). To enhance or facilitate ambulation, orthoses may be used. The aim of this study was to describe gait pattern among individuals wearing their habitual orthotic devices. Methods: Fifteen children with AMC, mean age 12. 4 (4. 3) years, with some lower limb involvement underwent 3-D gait analysis. Three groups were defined based on orthosis use; Group 1 used knee-ankle-foot orthoses with locked knee joints, Group 2 used ankle-foot orthoses or knee-ankle-foot orthoses with open knee joints and Group 3 used no orthoses. Results: The greatest trunk and pelvis movements in all planes and the greatest hip abduction were observed in Group 1, compared to Groups 2 and 3, as well as to the gait laboratory control group. Maximum hip extension was similar in Groups 1 and 2, but in Group 3, there was less hip extension and large deviations from the control data. Lower cadence and walking speed were observed in Group 1 than in Groups 2 and 3. The step length was similar in all groups and also with respect to the gait laboratory reference values. Conclusions: Children with AMC were subdivided according to orthoses use. Kinematic data as recorded with 3-D gait analysis showed differences among the groups in trunk, pelvis and knee kinematics, and in cadence and walking speed. The step length was similar in all groups and to the gait laboratory reference values, which may be attributable to good hip extension strength in all participants.
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| 7. |
- Gutierrez, Elena M, 1973-, et al.
(author)
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Kinetics of compensatory gait in persons with myelomeningocele
- 2005
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In: Gait & Posture. - : Elsevier BV. - 0966-6362 .- 1879-2219. ; 21:1, s. 12-23
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This study investigated the kinetic strategy and compensatory mechanisms during self-ambulatory gait in children with lumbo-sacral myelomeningocele. Thirty-one children with mid-lumbar to low-sacral myelomeningocele who walked without aids and 21 control children were evaluated by three-dimensional gait analysis. Joint moments in all planes at the hip and knee and sagittal moments at the ankle, as well as joint power and work done at all three joints, were analyzed. Joint moment capacity lost due to plantarflexor and dorsiflexor weakness was provided instead by orthotic support, but other joints were loaded more to compensate for the weakness at the ankles and restricted ankle motion. Subjects with total plantarflexor and dorsiflexor paresis and strength in the hip abductors had more knee extensor loading due to plantarflexor weakness and dorsiflexion angle of the orthotic, ankle joint. The subjects with orthoses also generated more power at the hip to supplement the power generation lost to plantarflexor weakness and fixed ankles. The most determinant muscle whose paresis changes gait kinetics was the hip abductor. Hip abductor weakness resulted in a characteristic pattern where the hips displayed an eccentric adduction moment, mediating energy transfer into the lower limbs, and the hips replaced the knees as power absorbers in early stance. Joint moment, power and work analyses complement a kinematic analysis to provide a complete picture of how children who have muscle paresis recruit stronger muscle groups to compensate for weaker ones.
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| 8. |
- Larsson, Gunilla, 1944-
(author)
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Rett syndrome, motor development, mobility and orthostatic reactions : loss of function, difficulties and possibilities
- 2013
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Rett syndrome (RTT) is a rare, severe neurodevelopmental disorder, which partly develops in a predictable way, and influences many bodily functions. Regression, i.e. loss of earlier achieved abilities, is one of the clinical criteria for RTT. Research on motor function has to some extent focused on this loss, and less on the possibility to keep, regain or develop abilities. RTT is mainly verified in girls/women, and the prevalence of classic RTT in Sweden for girls born between 1965 and 1976 was 1 in 10.000-12.000. Clinical criteria are used for diagnosis, but since 1999 RTT can be confirmed by a genetic test. As there is no cure so far, development of clinical intervention and management is important, and with good treatment it is possible to improve quality of life.The main aim was to acquire more knowledge about motor development in RTT, both, early development, and development over time. Another aim was to study if there were deviating orthostatic reactions when rising from sitting to standing, and during standing, compared with normally developed, healthy people, matched by sex and age.Clinical experience as well as reports from parents showed that some people with RTT had lost abilities, some had been able to keep abilities, and some had been able to learn new abilities after regression. For good results, the person with RTT had to be motivated, and the intervention jointly planned; it was also important to realize that dyspraxia causes dependence on other people’s initiatives. Information about one person with RTT, collected over several years, showed the possibility to develop in some areas over time and the tendency to deteriorate in other areas. Studying orthostatic reactions when rising to standing, and standing for three minutes, revealed that those with RTT mainly had the same reactions as the healthy controls. The quicker initial drop in systolic blood pressure in people with RTT, when rising, has not been documented earlier. In conclusion, this thesis shows that it is possible for some people with RTT to keep abilities, regain abilities, and also learn new abilities after regression. Since those with RTT recovered their blood pressure in the same way as the healthy controls, there is no reason to recommend limitations in standing, though the quicker initial drop in systolic blood pressure should be noted. The deterioration in walking found in our previous studies does not seem to be due to deviation in orthostatic reactions. Individual analysis, as well as good knowledge about the development of the disorder and variation in its expression, is essential. Since many people with RTT live to adulthood, planning for lifelong intervention and care is most important.
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| 9. |
- Lidbeck, Cecilia M., et al.
(author)
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Postural Orientation During Standing in Children With Bilateral Cerebral Palsy
- 2014
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In: Pediatric Physical Therapy. - 0898-5669 .- 1538-005X. ; 26:2, s. 223-229
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose: To investigate postural orientation and maintenance of joint position during standing in children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy (BSCP). Methods: Standing was examined with 3-D motion analysis in 26 children with BSCP, and 19 children typically developing (TD). Two groups of children with cerebral palsy (CP) were analyzed: 15 who were able to maintain standing without support and 11 who needed support. Results: Children with CP stood with more flexion than children TD. In the CP groups, children standing without support stood more asymmetrically with less hip and knee flexion and less movement than those who required support. Conclusion: Children with CP had varying abilities to stand and maintain standing posture with or without support. Both CP groups stood with more flexion than their potential passive joint angle, more obvious in children requiring support. Investigations on how muscle strength and spatial perception influence posture remains to be explored.
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| 10. |
- Lidbeck, Cecilia, et al.
(author)
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The role of visual stimuli on standing posture in children with bilateral cerebral palsy
- 2016
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In: BMC Neurology. - : BioMed Central. - 1471-2377. ; 16:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: In children with bilateral cerebral palsy (CP) maintaining a standing position can be difficult. The fundamental motor task of standing independently is achieved by an interaction between the visual, somatosensory, and vestibular systems. In CP, the motor disorders are commonly accompanied by sensory and perceptual disturbances. Our aims were to examine the influence of visual stimuli on standing posture in relation to standing ability. Methods: Three dimensional motion analysis with surface electromyography was recorded to describe body position, body movement, and muscle activity during three standing tasks: in a self-selected position, while blindfolded, and during an attention-demanding task. Participants were twenty-seven typically-developing (TD) children and 36 children with bilateral CP, of which 17 required support for standing (CP-SwS) and 19 stood without support (CP-SwoS). Results: All children with CP stood with a more flexed body position than the TD children, even more pronounced in the children in CP-SwS. While blindfolded, the CP-SwS group further flexed their hips and knees, and increased muscle activity in knee extensors. In contrast, the children in CP-SwoS maintained the same body position but increased calf muscle activity. During the attention-demanding task, the children in CP-SwoS stood with more still head and knee positions and with less muscle activity. Conclusions: Visual input was important for children with CP to maintain a standing position. Without visual input the children who required support dropped into a further crouched position. The somatosensory and vestibular systems alone could not provide enough information about the body position in space without visual cues as a reference frame. In the children who stood without support, an intensified visual stimulus enhanced the ability to maintain a quiet standing position. It may be that impairments in the sensory systems are major contributors to the difficulties to stand erect in children with CP.
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