Evaluation of a device to exercise hip extensor muscles in children with cerebral palsy: a clinical and field study.
This research includes the effectiveness of a tricycle (hip extensor tricycle) designed to isolate and exercise the hip extensor muscles in children with cerebral palsy. Five children diagnosed with cerebral palsy were given hip extensor tricycles for home use during an 8-week test period. The hip extensor strength and gait pattern of the subjects were recorded at 2-week intervals. Additional recorded information included the time and duration of subject use and a parent evaluation that noted subjective physical and psychological improvements. A panel of experts judged that the gait patterns of four subjects improved during the course of the study. There was an assignable cause for the lack of improvement in the fifth subject. The results of the strength testing were found to be inconclusive. The subjects used the device on a regular basis and enjoyed doing so. Parent evaluations indicated that the use of the hip extensor tricycle improved the subjects' physical condition, coordination, sense of accomplishment, and self esteem. It is recommended that future research implement a longer test period along with improved hip extensor strength measurement methods and focus on improvements in evaluation of gait and physical condition.
Bloswick
D S
DS
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, USA.
King
E M
EM
Brown
D
D
Gooch
J R
JR
Peters
M
M
D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005684:Gait; D006615:Hip; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013673:Technology Assessment, Biomedical; D016896:Treatment Outcome