Eliminating toe-fixing pattern can improve standing and gait pattern of children with cerebral palsy in a qualitative way

Abstract

Toe-fixing pattern has been observed to be a compensatory strategy for children with cerebral palsy (CP) to gain body stability. It has been shown that application of toe sponges could eliminate the toe fixing, and thus would force the children with CP to use the potential resources of their impaired postural system. The aim of this study was to investigate the immediate regression and treatment effects of toe-sponges application on standing and walking patterns in children with CP. A controlled experimental study was conducted, involving 24 school-aged children with CP who were ambulatory with or without walking aids. Twelve children in the experimental group wore toe sponges for 3 weeks whereas the other 12 children in the control group did not. The results did not show a significant difference indicating immediate regression after application of toe sponges in all children or a treatment effect in the experimental group after wearing the toe sponges for 3 weeks. Qualitative improvement of walking pattern in the experimental group was, however, observed. It was believed that the effect of toe-sponge application on improving the standing and walking patterns in children with CP was masked by the children shifting the compensation from toe flexion to the other body parts. Issues that need to be considered in the further studies were suggested.