| Author: | Chan, Wai-ting Tina |
| Title: | Does eliminating toe-fixing pattern improve gait pattern in children with cerebral palsy? |
| Degree: | M.Sc. |
| Year: | 2004 |
| Subject: | Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations Cerebral palsied children -- Rehabilitation Gait in humans Walking -- Physiological aspects |
| Department: | Department of Rehabilitation Sciences |
| Pages: | ix, 50 leaves : col. ill. ; 30 cm |
| Language: | English |
| Abstract: | Toe-fixing pattern have been observed to be a compensatory strategy for children with cerebral palsy to gain body stability in the upright position. Reducing the toe-fixing pattern with sponge separators in the toes may force these children to develop and practice normal postural mechanisms for stability .The aim of this study was to investigate the immediate and over-time effects in their standing posture and walking pattern before and after reducing this inappropriate compensatory strategy in the toes. A randomized controlled trial was be conducted, involving 24 school-aged subjects with cerebral palsy (13 male, 11 females, mean age 10 years, SD 2.98 years, aged 6 to 15) who are ambulatory (11 aided walkers, 13 independent walkers). Subjects were randomly assigned into control and experimental group. The design involved a pretest and a posttest, which were at 3 weeks apart. Measurements in standing and walking were taken. Two conditions (without sponges and with sponges) were tested in both assessments. One child dropped out of the study. In the control group (n=12), subjects continued to receive their routine physiotherapy treatment and daily walking practice. In the experimental group (n=12), subjects carried out the same activities with sponge separators in the toes, wearing them for 9 hours a day. Heel distance and foot angle in standing, gait velocity and step length were measured before and after treatment for both groups. No statistically significant regression was found immediately after application of toe sponges. After 3 weeks of treatment, 8 of the 12 subjects were observed to have increasing tends in velocity and step length, as well as improved movement patterns during walking qualitatively. However, no statistically significant improvement was found the experimental group when compared with the control group. Using toe sponges to eliminate toe-fixing patterns may be considered as an adjunct treatment strategy, but further research is required, using a more homogeneous group and a longer intervention period. |
| Rights: | All rights reserved |
| Access: | restricted access |
Files in This Item:
| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| b17726931.pdf | For All Users (off-campus access for PolyU Staff & Students only) | 4.38 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
Copyright Undertaking
As a bona fide Library user, I declare that:
- I will abide by the rules and legal ordinances governing copyright regarding the use of the Database.
- I will use the Database for the purpose of my research or private study only and not for circulation or further reproduction or any other purpose.
- I agree to indemnify and hold the University harmless from and against any loss, damage, cost, liability or expenses arising from copyright infringement or unauthorized usage.
By downloading any item(s) listed above, you acknowledge that you have read and understood the copyright undertaking as stated above, and agree to be bound by all of its terms.
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
https://theses.lib.polyu.edu.hk/handle/200/1828