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. 2019 Apr-Jun;12(2):194-198.
doi: 10.25122/jml-2019-1004.

The Effects of Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt on Gait Performance

Dumitru Baltateanu  1   2 , Ileana Ciobanu  1   2 , Mihai Berteanu  1   2
Affiliations

The Effects of Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt on Gait Performance

Dumitru Baltateanu et al. J Med Life. 2019 Apr-Jun.

Abstract

Most studies on patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) regard pre-post Tap test and long-term follow-up after shunt surgery. Quantitative and qualitative assessment tools specific to rehabilitation medicine can provide an objective measurement of the benefit of the neurosurgical intervention at 1-month follow-up. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the early benefit of the ventriculoperitoneal shunt with low or medium pressure valve on the gait capacity of persons with NPH, one month after surgery. This is a retrospective study reviewing 19 inpatients with NPH who underwent neurosurgery for ventriculoperitoneal shunt with low or medium pressure valve, one month after a positive result on a tap test, in a 5-year period. The assessments regarding the gait abilities were performed 24 hours before the surgical intervention and one month after surgery. Assessment tools used were: the 3 meters Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), the 10 Meters Walking Test (10MWT) and the Berg Balance Scale. A positive response to the tap test predicted improvements of gait and balance in patients with NPH after shunt surgery. Best results in regards to gait and balance are achieved when early diagnosis and intervention are performed. Complex comorbidities generate and enhance significant and persistent gait impairment.

Keywords: balance; gait; normal pressure hydrocephalus; ventriculoperitoneal shunt.

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Figures

Figure 1:
Figure 1:
Initial (T0) and follow-up (T1) TUG times (s)
Figure 2:
Figure 2:
10MWT speed at T0 (initial evaluation) and T1 (follow-up)
Figure 3:
Figure 3:
Scores on the Berg Balance Scale at T0 (initial evaluation) and T1 (follow-up).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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