Abstract
El-Shamy SM, Abdelaal AAM: WalkAide efficacy on gait and energy expenditure in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2016; 95: 629-638.
Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of WalkAide functional electrical stimulation on gait pattern and energy expenditure in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy.
Design: Seventeen children were assigned to the study group, whose members received functional electrical stimulation (pulse width, 300 Ks; frequency, 33 Hz, 2 hours/d, 3 days/week for 3 consecutive months). Seventeen other children were assigned to the control group, whose members participated in a conventional physical therapy exercise program for 3 successive months. Baseline and posttreatment assessments were performed using the GAITRite system to evaluate gait parameters and using an open-circuit indirect calorimeter to evaluate energy expenditure.
Results: Children in the study group showed a significant improvement when compared with those in the control group (P < 0.005). The gait parameters (stride length, cadence, speed, cycle time, and stance phase percentage) after treatment were (0.74 m, 119 steps/min, 0.75 m/s, 0.65 s, 55.9%) and (0.5 m, 125 steps/min, 0.6 m/s, 0.49 s, 50.4%) for the study group and control group, respectively. The mean energy expenditures after treatment were 8.18 +/- 0.88 and 9.16 +/- 0.65 mL/kg per minute for the study and control groups, respectively.
Conclusions: WalkAide functional electrical stimulation may be a useful tool for improving gait pattern and energy expenditure in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy.