Comparison of Inclined Backwalk vs Kneel Walk on Genurecurvatum in Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy

Overview

The 40-68% of ambulating hemiplegic children walk with genu recurvatum and hemiplegic patients shows excessive anterior pelvic tilts (\>4 cm) during the stance phase. The objective of the study is to compare the effects of inclined backward treadmill walk vs kneel walk on genu recurvatum in hemiplegic cerebral palsy. 50 participants will be chosen according to inclusion exclusion criteria of the study which will be randomly allocated into two equal groups . One group will receive treadmill training programme with specifically designed physical therapy program according to child need for one hour for each child. And other group will receive kneel walking programme specifically designed physical therapy program according to child need for one hour for each child. The pre and post assessment of genurecurvatum will be assessed by Goniometer.

Efficiency of walking and the development of independent gait are often the focus of therapeutic interventions for children with CP. Motor learning theory suggests that when encountering a new motor skill or adapting a motor skill to a specific situation, a group of interconnected neurons is selected from a primary neuronal repertoire based on prior experience of the task. Generated movement patterns and postural adjustments are then refined via afferent feedback. Therefore, it has been argued that to develop and improve a motor skill such as walking, opportunities for repetitive practice of the skill need to be offered. For this reason use of a mechanical treadmill may improve walking in children with CP. Treadmill walking provides increased opportunity to repetitively train the whole gait cycle, facilitate an improved gait pattern. Improved walking has the potential to increase the mobility and positively influence the societal participation of children with CP at home, at school and in the wider community.