Instrumented gait analysis for management of gait disorders in children with cerebral palsy: A scoping review

BackgroundThe use of Instrumented Gait Analysis (IGA) for the clinical management of individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) has increased in recent years. Previous systematic reviews have been completed to evaluate and summarize the evidence related to the efficacy of IGA in general. However, a focused summary of research studies on IGA for children with CP related gait disorders is needed.Research QuestionThe purpose of the current work was to perform a scoping review to describe and categorize the range of existing literature about IGA as applied to the clinical management of children with CP related gait disorders.MethodA health sciences librarian developed a search strategy to include four key inclusion criteria of original research study, population included children with CP, study employed IGA, available in English. The available literature was organized into six study categories: reliability and validity, documentation of subgroups or model development, IGA for clinical decision making, effectiveness of treatments that depend on IGA, cost effectiveness, IGA used to evaluate the outcome of surgical, medical or rehabilitation treatment.Results909 studies met the inclusion criteria and were placed into the six study categories. 14 % of studies were in reliability and validity, 33 % in subgroups or modeling, 2% in IGA for clinical decision making, 2% in treatments that depend on IGA, 1% in cost effectiveness, and 49 % of studies had IGA used as an outcome measure for treatment.SignificanceThis scoping review has documented the wide range, diversity and extent of original research studies investigating the use of IGA for the clinical management of children with CP related gait disorders. The large volume of studies provides a basis for future work to develop a CPG about the use of IGA for the clinical management of children with CP related gait disorders.     

Comment vieillit-on en institution avec une scoliose ? Impact de l’arthrodèse vertébrale sur la qualité de vie des paralysés cérébraux adultes

IntroductionQuality of life is now part of the discussion, when considering spinal arthrodesis in children and teenagers with severe cerebral palsy and scoliosis. From the subjective point of view of close caregivers, quality of life is significantly improved two to five years after surgery. Nevertheless information relevant to the long-term evolution of those patients, most of them institutionalized, is lacking. In this study the quality of life of 45 adult cerebral palsy subjects with scoliosis (20 with arthrodesis and 25 without), classified IV or V on the Gross Motor Classification System and living in institutions was questioned.Material and methodFour items: daily care, pain/comfort, sitting position and communication, were proposed to evaluation by professional caregivers, blind to the final goal of the study and asked to answer along a Lickert scale (−2 to +2).ResultsResults show that professional caregivers dont make any difference between operated and non operated patients when considering easiness of daily care, pain/comfort of the resident or ability to communicate, but judge sitting position to be slightly better for those with spinal arthrodesis. Satisfaction with sitting posture depends for one part on the degree of scoliotic curve but other factors (hip and knee rigidity, quality of the sitting orthosis) also seem to be relevant.ConclusionSpinal arthrodesis is beneficial for sitting posture, even in aging subjects with severe cerebral palsy and scoliosis living in institutions. But the study also points to the numerous other health challenges which negatively affect the quality of life of such patients.     

A 4‐year follow‐up case of extrusive luxation in a patient with cerebral palsy

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a condition caused by brain damage before, during, or shortly after birth. Communication can be a challenge when treating patients with CP. Some patients can communicate verbally, while others use augmentative alternative communication tools or have individualized means of communication. Therefore, professional dental treatment in individuals with CP is challenging, especially if the patient is affected by dental trauma and requires emergency treatment. This report shows how individualized communication skills assessment allowed us to successfully manage a 9‐year‐old patient with CP, who suffered extrusive luxation of the permanent lower incisor. In the present case, the teeth were repositioned briefly after the trauma had occurred and then stabilized with a flexible splint according to international guidelines. The teeth remained vital and periodontal repair was observed during the 4‐year follow‐up.     

Low bone mineral density in ambulatory persons with cerebral palsy? A systematic review

Purpose: Non-ambulatory persons with cerebral palsy are prone to low bone mineral density. In ambulatory persons with cerebral palsy, bone mineral density deficits are expected to be small or absent, but a consensus conclusion is lacking. In this systematic review bone mineral density in ambulatory persons with cerebral palsy (Gross Motor Function Classification Scales I–III) was studied.

Materials and methods: Medline, Embase, and Web of Science were searched. According to international guidelines, low bone mineral density was defined as Z-score?≤??2.0. In addition, we focused on Z-score?≤??1.0 because this may indicate a tendency towards low bone mineral density.

Results: We included 16 studies, comprising 465 patients aged 1–65?years. Moderate and conflicting evidence for low bone mineral density (Z-score?≤??2.0) was found for several body parts (total proximal femur, total body, distal femur, lumbar spine) in children with Gross Motor Function Classification Scales II and III. We found no evidence for low bone mineral density in children with Gross Motor Function Classification Scale I or adults, although there was a tendency towards low bone mineral density (Z-score?≤??1.0) for several body parts.

Conclusions: Although more high-quality research is needed, results indicate that deficits in bone mineral density are not restricted to non-ambulatory people with cerebral palsy.

• Implications for Rehabilitation

• Although more high-quality research is needed, including adults and fracture risk assessment, the current study indicates that deficits in bone mineral density are not restricted to non-ambulatory people with CP.

• Health care professionals should be aware that optimal nutrition, supplements on indication, and an active lifestyle, preferably with weight-bearing activities, are important in ambulatory people with CP, also from a bone quality point-of-view.

• If indicated, medication and fall prevention training should be prescribed.

     

The effects of dual tasks on gait in children with cerebral palsy

AimTo assess the gait and cognitive performances of children with cerebral palsy (CP) during dual tasks (DT) in comparison to typically developing (TD) children.MethodThis prospective, observational, case-control study included 18 children with CP (7 girls, 11 boys; median age 12 [10:13] years and 19 controls (9 girls, 10 boys; median age 12 [10:13y6mo] years). Performances were recorded during a simple walking task, 5 DT (walking + cognitive tasks with increasing cognitive load), and 5 simple cognitive tasks (while sitting). Gait parameters were computed using an optoelectronic system during walking tasks. Six parameters were selected for analysis by a principal component analysis. Cognitive performance was measured for each cognitive task. The dual-task cost (DTC) was calculated for each DT.ResultsGait performance decreased in both groups as DT cognitive load increased (e.g., walking speed normalized by leg length, in simple task: 1.25 [1.15:1.46] s⁻¹ for CP, 1.53 [1.38:1.62] s⁻¹ for TD; DT with highest load: 0.64 [0.53:0.80] s⁻¹ for CP, 0.95 [0.75:1.08] s⁻¹ for TD). The CP group performed significantly worse than TD group in every task (including the simple task), but DTC were similar in both groups. A task effect was found for the majority of the gait parameters.InterpretationThe reduced gait performance induced by DT may generate underestimated difficulties for children with CP in daily-life situations, where DT are common. This should be considered in clinical assessments.     

Barriers and characteristics for successful transition to adult healthcare for individuals with cerebral palsy: a systematic review

Abstract

Background: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a common childhood disability. However, these individuals are now living longer lives, participating in adult roles, and seeking healthcare services. The transition from pediatric to adult healthcare for adolescents with CP is a challenging yet significant time. Adolescents experience several barriers during transition.

Objectives: To utilize the environmental and personal dimensions of the ICF model in order to explore barriers when transitioning to adulthood as well as discuss characteristics and physical therapy implications needed to succeed within transition.

Methods: Electronic searching of PubMed, CINAHL, ERIC, Scopus, ProQuest, and the Cochrane Library databases was concluded on January 9, 2019 for studies including transition between pediatric and adult healthcare in individuals diagnosed with CP. Two independent reviewers agreed upon inclusion, eligibility, and quality assessment of each study using the Mixed-Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT).

Results: Seven studies were included in the systematic review. Results for each study were separated based on the personal and environmental contextual factors of the ICF model and solutions to the barriers were then discussed.

Conclusions: Research has provided proposed solutions to select barriers, however, other barriers have yet to be addressed. More research is needed to address these barriers and provide a model program that can be implemented within the healthcare systems to promote a successful transition for adolescents with CP from pediatric to adult services.     

Voice outcome indicators for unilateral vocal fold paralysis surgery: A survey among surgeons

IntroductionStandardization of voice outcomes indicators (VOIs) is an important issue when it comes to evaluating and comparing surgical treatments for Unilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis (UVFP). In a recent review, 11 VOIs were found to represent 80% of the VOIs cited in the literature. A survey was launched among the European laryngologists to acquire surgeons’ opinions on the above mentioned preselected VOIs.Material and methodThe electronic survey took place between November and December 2016. Three general questions were asked about surgeon's practice setting(s) and experience. The eleven next questions concerned (a) surgeon's VOIs preference and (b) their estimates of post-operative target values, they would consider being satisfactory.ResultsThe response rate was 16% (50 surveys). The majority of responders worked in tertiary hospitals (50%), had 15 years of experience with UVFP and performed on average 20 UVFP related procedures a year. The VOIs that were favored by the responding surgeons were, in decreasing order of importance, Voice handicap Index (VHI-30), Maximum Phonation Time (MPT), GRBAS-I, Mean Airflow Rate (MeAF), Jitter and Shimmer. There was an excellent consensus on post-operative VOI target values between survey's results and the literature data, except for three VOIs that showed somewhat divergent tendencies (absolute VHI-30, Jitter and Shimmer).ConclusionsThree VOIs are favored by surgeons: VHI-30, MPT and GRBAS-I. Jitter and Shimmer, although very frequently reported and statistically valid in the literature, come last concerning surgeon's choice as VOI for UVFP treatment assessment.     

作业治疗对不随意运动型脑瘫手眼协调能力的影响

目的:探讨作业治疗对不随意运动型脑瘫患儿手眼协调能力的临床疗效。方法:选取2017年5月~2018年9月在广州中医药大学附属南海妇产儿童医院儿童康复科就诊的不随意运动型脑瘫患儿30例,进行作业治疗手眼协调训练,采用Peabody精细运动发育量表(PDMS-FM)及FMFM(手眼协调E项)评定临床疗效。结果:患儿FMQ评分、FMFM(E区)评分随治疗时间推移呈逐渐增加趋势,第二次评估与第一次评估比较有统计学意义(P<0.05),第三次评估和第二次评估有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论:作业治疗手眼协调训练对不随意运动型脑瘫精细运动及手技巧有明显改善作用。