Biomechanical Properties and Their Association With Balance and Functional Mobility in Children With Cerebral Palsy

Biomechanical Properties and Their Association With Balance and Functional Mobility in Children With Cerebral Palsy

This study aimed to investigate the differences in the biomechanical properties of the dorsal trunk and lower extremity muscles of children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy compared with their typically developing peers, and the effect of these biomechanical properties on balance and functional mobility performance.

Inclusion criteria for unilateral spastic cerebral palsy were:

• aged between 4 and 12 years,
• spasticity level MAS≤2,
• mental level sufficient to understand commands given,
• and ambulation without the use of an orthosis or other device. In addition, children had to be GMFCS level I or II.

Exclusion criteria were:

• a history of spinal surgery or spinal orthosis use,
• uncorrected vision or hearing problems,
• severe epileptic seizures,
• lower extremity contractures,
• botulinum toxin A injection in the previous six months,
• lower extremity surgery in less than one year,
• use of pharmacological agents that affect muscle tone,
• and poor cooperation.

Inclusion criteria for controls were:

• aged between 4 and 12 years,
• no neurological or orthopaedic diagnosis,
• no known systemic problems,
• normal vision and hearing,
• and a mental level sufficient to understand the commands given.