Effect of Platform Swing Walkway on Locomotor Behavior in Diplegic Children

Effect of Platform Swing Walkway on Locomotor Behavior in Children With Diaplegia

Locomotor activity is accompanied by a number of sensory stimuli: visual, auditory, olfactory, vestibular, and somatosensory. When improving motor skills, incorporating postural reflexes, creating synchronized eye movements, and visual attention skills, the vestibular system is particularly important.

Thirty diaplegic cerebral palsied children of both sexes, ranged in age from 3 to 6 years enrolled in this study. They randomly assigned into two groups of equal number; control group (A), study group (B). Group (A) groups received the conventional physical therapy program based on neurodevelopmental approach for such cases. Whereas study group (B) received the same conventional physical therapy program given to group (A) in addition to gait training on platform swing walkway for 30 minute. All children were assessed before and after the treatment program by using 2D video based gait assessment system to measure the percentage of swing and stance phase, also GMFM was used to assess standing and walking, running, and jumping abilities, domains (D) and (E).

Inclusion Criteria:

• were cognitively competent
• able to understand and follow instructions.

Exclusion Criteria:

• if they had fixed contractures
• deformities of the spine, upper or lower extremities,
• visual or respiratory disorders.