Treadmill training for an infant born preterm with a grade III intraventricular hemorrhage.
OBJECTIVE
Research has documented the feasibility and benefit of treadmill training in children with cerebral palsy and Down syndrome. The purposes of this case report are: (1) to determine the feasibility of treadmill training in an infant at high risk for neuromotor dysfunction and (2) to describe the child's treadmill stepping patterns following treadmill training.


METHODS
The male infant, who had a grade III intraventricular hemorrhage following premature birth, began physical therapy and treadmill training at 51/4 months corrected age. Treadmill training was conducted 3 times weekly and videotaped weekly. Videotape analysis determined number of steps, step type, and foot position.


RESULTS
Except for foot position, trends in treadmill stepping were similar to those of studies with infants not at high risk for neuromotor disabilities.


CONCLUSIONS
This case report shows that treadmill training is feasible for an infant at high risk for neuromotor disabilities and may be associated with more mature stepping characteristics. Future research should evaluate optimum treadmill training parameters and long-term developmental outcomes.
Bodkin
Amy W
AW
University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and Center for Gait and Movement Analysis, Box A036/B476, Denver, CO 80262, USA. amy.bodkin@uchsc.edu
Baxter
Ronda S
RS
Heriza
Carolyn B
CB
D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002552:Cerebral Ventricles; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000145:classification / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014743:Videotape Recording; D016138:Walking