title: Evaluation of lower body positive pressure supported treadmill training for children with cerebral palsy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the feasibility of using lower body positive pressure supported (LBPPS) treadmill training to improve the walking abilities, balance and lower extremity strength of children with cerebral palsy (CP).
  
  
  METHODS
  Nine children with CP (GMFCS II-IV) participated in LBPPS treadmill training 2 days per week for 6 weeks. Pre and post training measures of preferred walking speed, spatiotemporal kinematics, lower extremity strength, and the BESTest were used to assess potential improvements from LBPPS treadmill training.
  
  
  RESULTS
  LBPPS treadmill training resulted in significantly faster walking speed, less time in double support, improved overall balance, and strength of the lower extremity antigravity musculature.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is feasible to use LBPPS treadmill training to improve the walking performance, balance, and strength of children with CP.
authors.affiliation: Physical Therapy Department, Munroe-Meyer Institute for Genetics and Rehabilitation, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, USA. mkurz@unmc.edu
authors.forename: Max J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kurz
authors.forename: Brad
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Corr
authors.forename: Wayne
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Stuberg
authors.forename: Kathleen G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Volkman
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D053581:Muscle Strength Dynamometer; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004856:Postural Balance; D011312:Pressure; D016896:Treatment Outcome