Intensive Gait Training Rehabilitation Protocol After Surgery in Cerebral Palsy

Intensive Gait Training Rehabilitation Protocol to Enhance Functional Parameters of Walking After Single-event Multi-level Surgery in Cerebral Palsy

In the context of cerebral palsy, rehabilitation post Single-Event Multi-Level Surgery (SEMLS) is a long process. One year after surgery and rehabilitation, the functional benefits are usually less improved than the gait pattern. This may be caused by a lack of intensity in the final rehabilitation steps. Thus we created an intensive gait training rehabilitation protocole. This protocole associates 4 weeks of intensive rehabilitation in a healthcare center followed by 2 weeks of intensive rehabilitation at home. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficiency of this protocol to improve walking speed and endurance, gross motor function et muscular strength.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Cerebral palsy
• Age between 10 and 20 years
• Single-Event multi-level surgery more than one year ago
• GMFCS I to III
• Capacity to understand simple instructions
• Volontary consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• injuries or pain in lower limbs
• toxines or surgery less than one year before the study