Development and validation of a stakeholder-driven, self-contained electronic informed consent platform for trio-based genomic research studies.

Increasingly long and complex informed consents have yielded studies demonstrating comparatively low participant comprehension and satisfaction with traditional face-to-face approaches. In parallel, interest in electronic consents for clinical and research genomics has steadily increased, yet limited data are available for trio-based genomic discovery studies. We describe the design, development, implementation, and validation of an electronic iConsent application for trio-based genomic research deployed to support genomic studies of cerebral palsy. iConsent development incorporated stakeholder perspectives including researchers, patient advocates, institutional review board members, and genomic data-sharing considerations. The iConsent platform integrated principles derived from prior electronic consenting research and elements of multimedia learning theory. Participant comprehension was assessed in an interactive teachback format. The iConsent application achieved nine of ten proposed desiderata for effective patient-focused electronic consenting for genomic research. Overall, participants demonstrated high comprehension and retention of key human subjects' considerations. Enrollees reported high levels of satisfaction with the iConsent, and we found that participant comprehension , iConsent clarity , privacy protections , and study goal explanations were associated with overall satisfaction . Although opportunities exist to optimize iConsent, we show that such an approach is feasible, can satisfy multiple stakeholder requirements, and can realize high participant satisfaction and comprehension while increasing study reach.

Individualized orthotic alignment and footwear for balance and mobility in children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy: A randomized trial.

AIM: To examine whether designed-to-be-rigid ankle-foot orthoses and footwear combinations with individualized alignment and footwear designs (AFO-FC/IAFD) would be more effective than designed-to-be-rigid AFO with non-individualized alignment and footwear designs (AFO-FC/NAFD) in children with cerebral palsy (CP). METHOD: Nineteen children with bilateral spastic CP were randomized to AFO-FC/NAFD (n = 10) or AFO-FC/IAFD (n = 9) groups. Fifteen were male, average age 6 years 11 months (range 4 years 2 months-9 years 11 months), classified in Gross Motor Function Classification System levels II (n = 15) and III (n = 4). The Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS), Gait Outcomes Assessment List (GOAL), Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS), and Orthotic and Prosthetic Users' Survey (OPUS) measures of satisfaction were collected at baseline and after 3 months' wear. RESULTS: Compared with the AFO-FC/NAFD group, those with AFO-FC/IAFD demonstrated greater change in PBS total scores (mean 12.8 [standard deviation 10.5] vs 3.5 [5.8]; p = 0.03) and GOAL total scores (3.5 [5.8] vs -0.44 [5.5]; p = 0.03). There were no significant changes in OPUS or PROMIS scores. INTERPRETATION: After 3 months, individualized orthosis alignment and footwear designs had a greater positive effect on balance and parent-reported mobility than a non-individualized approach. No effect was documented for the PROMIS and OPUS. Results may inform orthotic management for ambulatory children with bilateral spastic CP. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: Balance and parent-reported mobility increased more over time for the ankle-foot orthoses and footwear combinations with individualized alignment and footwear designs (AFO-FC/IAFD) group. Changes in balance over time suggest a therapeutic effect of the AFO-FC/IAFD approach.

Supportive mobility devices across the lifespan in Cerebral Palsy: a modified Delphi study to establish stakeholder research priorities.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to co-develop research priorities and identify meaningful research questions with a diverse group of stakeholders representing the CP community for implementation in subsequent research activities. The overarching aim of this research was to 1) Understand the mobility experiences, supported mobility device (SMD) use, and desired participation outcomes of people with cerebral palsy (CP) across the lifespan; and 2) Describe how perspectives of rehabilitation care and professional resources may influence mobility decision-making processes and outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A three-round modified Delphi consensus study was conducted with a stakeholder advisory panel consisting of three adults with CP, two parents of children with CP, and four SMD providers. RESULTS: The advisory panel identified 11 unique topical categories focused on SMD selection and use, stratified by age group and stakeholder role. Questions or statements within each category were ranked, and top consensus and concordance statements were retained, reviewed, and refined for use in a co-developed focus group guide. Priorities were identified in three main groupings: (1) Age/GMFCS level/Environment-related; (2) Individual with CP/Caregiver need-related; and (3) Clinician/provider partnership-related. DISCUSSION: A modified Delphi process was a useful tool for stakeholders in co-developing research priorities related to SMD use across the lifespan. Drawing on the lived expertise of stakeholders is important in facilitating improved research translation in the CP community.

IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONRoutine incorporation of stakeholder voices in research and clinical practice can critically inform teams without lived experience of cerebral palsy to co-create meaningful priorities and focus areas for supportive mobility device provision and use from a lived perspective.Stakeholders identified that access to trial equipment, device adaptability, provider knowledge and training, and a focus on the presence or absence of shared decision-making are among the top research priorities when engaging with individuals with cerebral palsy who use supportive mobility devices.Given the heterogeneous nature of cerebral palsy and evolving mobility needs for individuals across different Gross Motor Function Classification System levels, a lifespan perspective and future-oriented approach to supportive mobility device research and clinical practice are crucial to address device design and implementation as well as barriers to quality provision practices.

"That's frustrating": Perceptions of ankle foot orthosis provision, use, and needs among people with cerebral palsy and caregivers.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral palsy (CP) affects roughly 3 per 1000 births in the United States and is the most common pediatric developmental motor disability. Ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) are commonly prescribed to provide support and improve function for individuals with CP. OBJECTIVES: The study objective was to evaluate the lived experiences of individuals with CP and their caregivers regarding AFO access, use, and priorities. We examined experiences around the perceived purpose of AFOs, provision process, current barriers to use, and ideas for future AFO design. STUDY DESIGN: Secondary qualitative data analysis. METHODS: Secondary data analysis was performed on semistructured focus groups that included 68 individuals with CP and 74 caregivers. Of the focus group participants, 66 mentioned AFOs (16 individuals with CP and 50 caregivers). Deidentified transcripts were analyzed using inductive coding, and the codes were consolidated into themes. RESULTS: Four themes emerged: 1) AFO provision is a confusing and lengthy process, 2) participants want more information during AFO provision, 3) AFOs are uncomfortable and difficult to use, and 4) AFOs can benefit mobility and independence. Caregivers and individuals with CP recommended ideas such as 3D printing orthoses and education for caregivers on design choices to improve AFO design and provision. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with CP and their caregivers found the AFO provision process frustrating but highlight that AFOs support mobility and participation. Further opportunities exist to support function and participation of people with CP by streamlining AFO provision processes, creating educational materials, and improving AFO design for comfort and ease of use.

Supportive mobility device use across the life span by individuals with cerebral palsy: A qualitative study.

AIM: To understand the mobility experiences, supportive mobility device (SMD) use, and desired participation outcomes of individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) across the life span, and describe how perspectives of rehabilitation care and professional resources may influence mobility decision-making processes and outcomes. METHOD: In the second phase of an overarching study, focus groups were conducted with 164 participants (68 individuals with CP; 32 females, 36 males; mean age 17y 8mo, SD 11y 11mo, range 3-68y), 74 caregivers (50 females, 24 males), and 22 healthcare providers (14 females, eight males) across four US cities. Sessions were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analysed using constant comparison. RESULTS: Six themes emerged. Five presented across all stakeholder groups: (1) the system is broken; (2) equipment is simultaneously liberating and restricting; (3) adaptation across the life span; (4) designed for transport, not for living; and (5) sharing our stories and sharing resources. One theme (theme 6) was specific to healthcare providers: caught in the middle. INTERPRETATION: This qualitative study underscores the simultaneous value and frustration associated with SMDs as described by the community with CP, and recognition among all stakeholders of the need to improve connections and resource networks within the community with CP to improve SMD design and provision processes across device types and across the life span for individuals with CP. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: Supportive mobility devices (SMDs) were most often equated with freedom, participation, and independence. Frustration with SMDs across the life span persisted with regard to design, function, cost, and maintenance. Stakeholders in the community with cerebral palsy are seeking greater networking and resource sharing to enhance SMD provision processes. Access to appropriate SMDs across the life span and the need for system improvement are critical.

OBJETIVO: Compreender as experiências de mobilidade, o uso de dispositivos de mobilidade de apoio e os resultados de participação desejados de pessoas com paralisia cerebral (PC) ao longo da vida e descrever como as perspectivas de cuidados de reabilitação e recursos profissionais podem influenciar os processos de tomada de decisão de mobilidade e resultados. MÉTODO: Na segunda fase de um estudo abrangente, foram realizados grupos focais com 164 participantes (68 pessoas com PC; 32 mulheres, 36 homens; idade média de 17 anos e 8 meses, DP 11 anos e 11 meses, faixa de 3 a 68 anos), 74 cuidadores (50 mulheres, 24 homens) e 22 profissionais de saúde (14 mulheres, oito homens) em quatro cidades dos EUA. As sessões foram gravadas em áudio, transcritas e analisadas por meio de comparação constante. RESULTADOS: Emergiram seis temas. Cinco apresentados em todos os grupos de partes interessadas: (1) o sistema está quebrado; (2) o equipamento está simultaneamente liberando e restringindo; (3) adaptação ao longo da vida; (4) projetado para transporte, não para a vida; e (5) compartilhar nossas histórias e recursos. Um tema (tema 6) era específico para os profissionais de saúde: "pego no meio". INTERPRETAÇÃO: Este estudo qualitativo ressalta o valor e a frustração simultâneos associados aos dispositivos de mobilidade de apoio, conforme descrito pela comunidade com CP, e o reconhecimento entre todas as partes interessadas da necessidade de melhorar as conexões e redes de recursos dentro da comunidade com CP para melhorar os processos de projeto e fornecimento de SMD em todos os dispositivos tipos e ao longo da vida para pessoas com PC.

Comparison of Sagittal Plane Stiffness of Nonarticulated Pediatric Ankle-Foot Orthoses Designed to be Rigid.

INTRODUCTION: When studying the effect of ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) on gait, it is important to know their sagittal plane stiffness. However, there are no established thresholds for stiffness of non-articulated AFOs designed to be rigid. If wanting to implement published algorithms for ankle-foot orthosis-footwear combinations (AFO-FCs), the AFOs must be equally as stiff as those of the developer of the published AFO-FC algorithms. Hence, the aim of this work was to compare the sagittal plane stiffness of AFOs designed to be rigid, made for a clinical trial in the USA, and following algorithms for AFO-FC designs, to those made and used clinically in the UK by the developer of the AFO-FC algorithms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Stiffness of 9 pediatric polypropylene AFOs was tested (UK: 6; USA: 3). A computer-controlled motorized device was used in which all AFOs were clamped with the calf shell in a fixed vertical component and the foot section in a rotating plate. Each AFO was tested for 3 trials, loading the foot plate 30 Nm towards dorsiflexion and 20 Nm towards plantarflexion. Torque-angle graphs were plotted and deflection and stiffness compared descriptively across AFOs. RESULTS: Average deflection of AFOs was UK: 3.42±0.83° and USA: 4.81±1.05°. Average stiffness of AFOs was UK: 14.34±3.34 Nm/° and USA: 10.30±1.92 Nm/°. CONCLUSIONS: All tested AFOs deflected only a few degrees in either direction (range: 2.59° to 6.02°), providing the first information reported for the stiffness of rigid pediatric non-articulated AFOs. Overall, the UK AFOs were stiffer and deflected less than the USA study AFOs. AFO design features should be carefully considered as they likely influence sagittal plane stiffness and deflection under load.

Functional outcomes of pediatric patients in Short-term Pediatric Rehabilitation Intensive Therapy (SPRINT) while receiving acute oncologic and hematologic care.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric patients with oncologic and hematologic diagnoses who experience newly acquired functional deficits during a hospitalization may benefit from intensive therapies. However, acute medical issues or disease treatment plans may prevent a safe transfer to the inpatient rehabilitation unit. Accordingly, Short-term Pediatric Rehabilitation Intensive Therapy (SPRINT), a 2-week inpatient intensive therapy program, was developed for pediatric patients on an acute care service. OBJECTIVE: To assess functional outcomes of SPRINT participants, adverse events associated with the program, and measures of patients' fatigue, sadness, nervousness, and pain by parents and patients at the start and end of SPRINT. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTINGS: Hematology-Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant units at regional pediatric tertiary care hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Eighteen pediatric patients (50% female, age 1.9-17.8 years) participated in SPRINT, and 11 parents and 4 children completed questionnaires. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Functional outcomes of SPRINT participants measured by Caregiver Assistance section of the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI), adverse events identified on chart review, and inquiry of participants' symptoms before and after SPRINT with a questionnaire. RESULTS: Common diagnoses included leukemia and lymphoma (N = 9, 50%) and central nervous system tumor (N = 6, 33%). Deconditioning (N = 18, 100%) and peripheral neuropathy (N = 8, 44.4%) were common rehabilitation diagnoses. Significant gains were found in tasks in self-care and mobility domains of PEDI (all P < .05), as well as functional expression in social function domain (P = .03). No adverse events related to SPRINT participation were identified. There was no significant difference between pre- and post-SPRINT questionnaire responses. CONCLUSIONS: SPRINT is an alternative model for intensive rehabilitation care delivery. Data suggested that SPRINT participation was safe and resulted in significant gains in mobility, self-care, and functional expression for pediatric patients with hematologic and oncologic diagnoses while receiving acute care. No difference was found in questionnaire responses after SPRINT participation.

Effects of Orthoses on Standing Postural Control and Muscle Activity in Children With Cerebral Palsy.

PURPOSE: This exploratory study assessed postural control and muscle activity in children with cerebral palsy while standing barefoot (BF), in prescribed ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) and in distal control orthoses (DCOs), which stabilized foot-ankle and deliberately aligned the shank. METHODS: This within-subject study evaluated 10 participants, Gross Motor Functional Classification System level III, across the 3 ankle-foot conditions in: (1) static standing duration and (2) modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance with electromyography (EMG) on 7 muscles. RESULTS: Participants had significantly decreased center of gravity (COG) velocity sway in DCO versus BF and AFO, decreased loss of balance (LOB), and increased standing for DCO versus BF. DCO had minimal effect on EMG activity. CONCLUSIONS: DCO provided significant stabilizing effects on COG sway velocity, standing duration, and LOB. DCO may be effective in balance training. It is unclear whether benefit was derived from stabilization of the ankle joint, the resultant shank alignment, or both.

Physical Activity Measurement in Children Who Use Mobility Assistive Devices: Accelerometry and Global Positioning System.

PURPOSE: To explore the usefulness of combining accelerometry, global positioning systems, and geographic information systems, to describe the time spent in different locations and physical activity (PA) duration/count levels by location for 4 children with cerebral palsy (CP) who use assistive devices (AD). METHODS: A descriptive multiple-case study. RESULTS: Combining the 3 instruments was useful in describing and differentiating duration by location, and amount and location of PA across differing functional levels and AD. For example, the child classified with a Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level II exhibited large amounts of PA in community settings. In contrast, the child classified with a GMFCS level V had small amounts of PA and spent most measured time at home. CONCLUSIONS: Combined accelerometry, global positioning system, and geographic information system have potential to capture time spent and amount/intensity of PA relative to locations within daily environments for children with CP who use AD.

Evaluation of a passive pediatric leg exoskeleton during gait.

BACKGROUND: Children with hemiparesis are commonly prescribed ankle foot orthoses to help improve gait; however, these orthoses often result in only small and variable changes in gait. Research with adult stroke survivors has suggested that orthoses that extend beyond the ankle using long, passive tendon-like structures (i.e. exotendons) can improve walking. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to quantify the impact of an exotendon-based exoskeleton on pediatric gait. STUDY DESIGN: Repeated-measures study. METHODS: Two typically-developing children and two children with hemiparesis completed a gait analysis, walking without and with the exoskeleton. The exotendon was tested at three stiffness levels. RESULTS: All children were able to walk comfortably with the exoskeleton, with minimal changes in step width. Walking speed increased and lower limb joint symmetry improved for the children with hemiparesis with the exoskeleton. Each participant had changes in muscle activity while walking with the exoskeleton, although the impact on specific muscles and response to exotendon stiffness varied. CONCLUSION: Exotendon-based exoskeletons may provide an alternative solution for optimizing gait in therapy and in the community for children with hemiparesis. Determining the optimal stiffness and configuration for each child is an important area of future research.

Accelerometer Measurements Indicate That Arm Movements of Children With Cerebral Palsy Do Not Increase After Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT).

IMPORTANCE: Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) is a common treatment for children with unilateral cerebral palsy (CP). Although clinic-based assessments have demonstrated improvements in arm function after CIMT, whether these changes are translated and sustained outside of a clinic setting remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: Accelerometers were used to quantify arm movement for children with CP 1 wk before, during, and 4 wk or more after CIMT; measurements were compared with those from typically developing (TD) peers. DESIGN: Observational. SETTING: Tertiary hospital and community. PARTICIPANTS: Seven children with CP (5 boys, 2 girls; average [AVE] age ± standard deviation [SD] = 7.4 ± 1.2 yr) and 7 TD peers (2 boys, 5 girls; AVE age ± SD = 7.0 ± 2.3 yr). INTERVENTION: 30-hr CIMT protocol. OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Use ratio, magnitude ratio, and bilateral magnitude were calculated from the accelerometer data. Clinical measures were administered before and after CIMT, and parent surveys assessed parent and child perceptions of wearing accelerometers. RESULTS: During CIMT, the frequency and magnitude of paretic arm use among children with CP increased in the clinic and in daily life. After CIMT, although clinical scores showed sustained improvement, the children's accelerometry data reverted to baseline values. Children and parents in both cohorts had positive perceptions of accelerometer use. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The lack of sustained improvement in accelerometry metrics after CIMT suggests that therapy gains did not translate to increased movement outside the clinic. Additional therapy may be needed to help transfer gains outside the clinic. WHAT THIS ARTICLE ADDS: Accelerometer measurements were effective at monitoring arm movement outside of the clinic during CIMT and suggested that additional interventions may be needed after CIMT to sustain benefits.

Feasibility of using acceleration-derived jerk to quantify bimanual arm use.

BACKGROUND: Accelerometers have become common for evaluating the efficacy of rehabilitation for patients with neurologic disorders. For example, metrics like use ratio (UR) and magnitude ratio (MR) have been shown to differentiate movement patterns of children with cerebral palsy (CP) compared to typically-developing (TD) peers. However, these metrics are calculated from "activity counts" - a measure based on proprietary algorithms that approximate movement duration and intensity from raw accelerometer data. Algorithms used to calculate activity counts vary between devices, limiting comparisons of clinical and research results. The goal of this research was to develop complementary metrics based on raw accelerometer data to analyze arm movement after neurologic injury. METHOD: We calculated jerk, the derivative of acceleration, to evaluate arm movement from accelerometer data. To complement current measures, we calculated jerk ratio (JR) as the relative jerk magnitude of the dominant (non-paretic) and non-dominant (paretic) arms. We evaluated the JR distribution between arms and calculated the 50th percentile of the JR distribution (JR50). To evaluate these metrics, we analyzed bimanual accelerometry data for five children with hemiplegic CP who underwent Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) and five typically developing (TD) children. We compared JR between the CP and TD cohorts, and to activity count metrics. RESULTS: The JR50 differentiated between the CP and TD cohorts (CP = 0.578 ± 0.041 before CIMT, TD = 0.506 ± 0.026), demonstrating increased reliance on the dominant arm for the CP cohort. Jerk metrics also quantified changes in arm use during and after therapy (e.g., JR50 = 0.378 ± 0.125 during CIMT, 0.591 ± 0.057 after CIMT). The JR was strongly correlated with UR and MR (r = - 0.92, 0.89) for the CP cohort. For the TD cohort, JR50 was repeatable across three data collection periods with an average similarity of 0.945 ± 0.015. CONCLUSIONS: Acceleration-derived jerk captured differences in motion between TD and CP cohorts and correlated with activity count metrics. The code for calculating and plotting JR is open-source and available for others to use and build upon. By identifying device-independent metrics that can quantify arm movement in daily life, we hope to facilitate collaboration for rehabilitation research using wearable technologies.

Walking Performance, Physical Activity, and Validity of the Early Activity Scale for Endurance in Young Children with Cerebral Palsy.

AIMS: To describe the walking performance and physical activity of children with cerebral palsy (CP) by Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level, age, sex, and geographical location; and, to examine the concurrent validity of the 4-item Early Activity Scale for Endurance (EASE) to walking performance and physical activity scores. METHODS: Seventy-nine children with CP participated. Parents completed the 4-item EASE. All children wore an Actigraph monitor (n = 79), and children in GMFCS levels I - III also wore a StepWatch monitor (n = 50), for seven days. RESULTS: Only GMFCS level yielded significant differences in average strides taken per day, in strides per day taken faster than 30 strides per minute, in average physical activity counts per minute, and in minutes per day spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity. The 4-item EASE findings were moderately correlated with average physical activity counts per minute (.61, p< .001) and minutes per day spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity (.62, p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: GMFCS level is predictive of both walking performance and physical activity in children with CP. The 4-item EASE may provide a quick and valid way to monitor physical activity in children with CP.

Longitudinal trajectories of physical activity and walking performance by gross motor function classification system level for children with cerebral palsy.

Purpose: This study aims to present developmental trajectories for physical activity (PA) and walking performance for children with cerebral palsy (CP).Materials and methods: Seventy-nine children with CP, 39 (49%) female, Gross Motor Functional Classification System levels I-V, and mean age 91.3 months (+/-27.7 SD) participated. Participants in levels I-V wore the Actigraph to capture PA and children in levels I-II also wore a StepWatch (SW) (n = 43) to measure walking performance. Trajectories for average PA counts/minute and number of minutes of moderate to vigorous PA were generated for levels I, II, and III/IV/V (aggregate). Single leg strides/day and average strides faster than 30 strides/min trajectories were generated for levels I-II.Results: Participants did not display plateaus in PA or walking performance based on functional level. Children in all levels showed a decrease in amount and intensity of PA from 3.0 to 12 years old, with participants in level I demonstrating the steepest decline. Children in level I decreased slightly, and level II increased slightly in both walking performance measures from 3.0 to 12 years old.Conclusions: Longitudinal curves demonstrate variations in PA and walking performance by functional level and provide prognostic information as to what changes may be anticipated for children with CP.Implications for rehabilitationLongitudinal developmental trajectories for physical activity and walking performance for children with cerebral palsy across functional levels are documented.Trajectories have potential to support collaborative intervention planning between therapists and families relative to physical activity and walking performance.

Low-Intensity vs High-Intensity Home-Based Treadmill Training and Walking Attainment in Young Children With Spastic Diplegic Cerebral Palsy.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of low-intensity (LI) vs high-intensity (HI) treadmill training (TT) on walking attainment and overall walking activity in children with cerebral palsy (CP). DESIGN: Prospective, multisite, randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Homes of the participants. PARTICIPANTS: Children with spastic diplegic CP, Gross Motor Function Classification System Level I and II, ages 14-32 months (N=19; male, n=8). INTERVENTIONS: The children were randomized to LI TT (2×/wk for 6wk) (n=10) and HI TT (10×/wk for 6wk) (n=9). The TT was carried out by the families with weekly instruction by the researchers. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Children were assessed at study onset, post intervention, and 1 and 4 months post intervention with the Gross Motor Function Measure Dimension D/E (GMFM D/E), average strides per day and percentage of time spent walking with accelerometers, the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales-2 (PDMS-2), Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Index Mobility Scale, timed 10-m and 1-minute walk test, and Functional Mobility Scale. Blinding was conducted for GMFM D/E and PDMS-2. Linear mixed effects regression models were applied to all outcomes. RESULTS: No significant between-group differences were found in any outcome measure at any of the time points. Children in the HI group did not show significant improvement immediately following the intervention in GMFM E (P=.061), while children in the LI group did (P=.003), but no statistically significant differences were detected over time (P=.71). Children in the HI group showed better walking independence on the Functional Mobility Scale at all postintervention assessments. CONCLUSIONS: A twice-weekly dosage was equally effective in improving skills related to walking compared with a 10×/wk program and can be more readily implemented into clinical practice.

Short-burst interval treadmill training walking capacity and performance in cerebral palsy: a pilot study.

PURPOSE: To examine the effect of short-burst interval locomotor treadmill training (SBLTT) on walking capacity and performance in cerebral palsy (CP). METHODS: Twelve children with spastic diplegic CP (average 8.6 years) across Gross Motor Function Classification System levels II (8) and III (4) were randomized to 20 SBLTT sessions over 4 or 10 weeks. SBLTT consisted of alternating 30 seconds of slow and fast walking for 30 minutes/session. Outcomes included the 10 m walk test, one-minute walk test (1MWT), and timed-up-and go (TUG) (capacity) and StepWatch (performance) collected at baseline, post, and 6 weeks post. RESULTS: Fast speed (+.11, p = .04; +.11 m/s, p = .006), 1MWT (+11.2; +11.7 m, p = .006) and TUG (-1.7; -1.9 seconds, p = .006) improved post SBLTT and 6 weeks, respectively. Walking performance increased: average strides/day (+948; +1712, p < .001) and percent time in high strides rates (+0.4, p = 0.07; +0.2, p = .008). CONCLUSIONS: Pilot study suggests SBLTT may improve short-term walking capacity and performance.