The effect of physiotherapy on sit-to-stand movements in a child with spastic diplegia

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess sit-to-stand (STS) movements of a child with cerebral palsy before and after physiotherapy (PT), based on objective kinematic data.

Methods: A child with cerebral spastic diplegia, aged 4 years and 6 months, and had no prior surgery, was the subject. In order to assess the STS movements before and after PT, a motion analysis system was used. STS movements data before and after PT which included the total duration of STS movement and angular movement of each joint were collected and compared.

Results: The total duration of STS movement was 3.06 s before PT and 2.44 s after PT. As for angular movement before PT, knee, hip joint, and trunk were flexed strongly just after ankle joint was in plantarflexion, in shifting the center of mass forward. In contrast, these flexion patterns were less noticeable after PT. In addition, standing postures showed marked improvement. Range of motion of ankle dorsiflexion was -25 degrees before PT; after PT, it was 6 degrees.

Conclusion: These findings lead us to conclude that the effect of PT on STS movement before and after PT showed objective kinematic data.