Effectiveness of Robotic Assisted Gait Training in Children With Cerebral Palsy

Effectiveness of Robotic Assisted Gait Training in Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial Including 3D Gait Analysis

The purpose of the study is to investigate the effectiveness of robotic-assisted locomotor therapy on improvements of functional gait parameters in ambulatory children with cerebral palsy.

Within a randomized controlled design the effects of robotic-assisted locomotor training (15 sessions within 5 weeks) will be examined in a sample of 34 children with cerebral palsy.

Children will be randomly assigned to an intervention or waiting list group. Assessments will be performed at baseline, in week 6 as well as in week 12. The intervention is provided to the waiting list group after the assessment in week 6.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Bilateral spastic cerebral palsy
• Gross Motor Function Classification Scale (GMFCS) II-IV

Exclusion Criteria:

• Prior orthopedic surgery on the lower extremity or the trunk (<6 months)
• Prior neurosurgical interventions (<6 months)
• Significant mental retardation
• Severe contractures
• Prior Lokomat training (<6 months)