Effect of backward walking training on postural balance in children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled study

Abstract

Objective: To study the effect of additional backward walking training on postural control in children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy.

Design: Randomized controlled study.

Setting: Physical therapy clinics.

Subjects: Thirty spastic hemiparetic cerebral palsied children of both sexes (10-14 years, 14 girls and 16 boys).

Intervention: Children were randomly assigned into two equal groups: experimental and control groups. Both groups received a traditional physical therapy program for 12 weeks. Experimental group additionally received backward walking training which was provided 25 min/day, 3 days/week for 3 successive months.

Outcome measures: Baseline and post-treatment assessment for overall, anteroposterior, and mediolateral stability indices were evaluated by using Biodex balance system.

Results: After treatment; two way ANOVA revealed significant improvement in overall, anteroposterior and mediolateral stability indices of experimental group at the most stable level (level 12) and moderately unstable level (level 7) (1.40 ± 0.44 and 1.73 ± 0.51; 1.11 ± 0.34 and 2.13 ± 0.52; 1.93 ± 0.51 and 2.68 ± 0.52) respectively, than control group (1.77 ± 0.44 and 2.17 ± 0.56; 1.44 ± 0.44 and 2.54 ± 0.49; 2.39 ± 0.65 and 3.11 ± 0.49) respectively, (P < 0.05). There were significant improvement in all measured variables for both groups at both levels (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Additional backward walking training to traditional physical therapy program yields improvement in postural stability indices in children with spastic hemiparetic cerebral palsy than traditional physical therapy alone.

Keywords: Cerebral palsy; backward walking; postural control.