title: Effectiveness of foot wedge and carrying weighted bag on loading the paretic lower limb in children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effect of foot wedge and carrying weighted bag on loading the paretic lower limb in children with hemiparetic CP.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  A convenient sample of 18 ambulant children with spastic hemiparetic CP was evaluated. Fifteen matched normal children acted as a control group.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using two calibrated scales, measurements of weight supported on each lower limb were obtained under four different standing conditions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During quiet standing, the percentage of weight supported on the paretic limb was 35.59% with symmetry index equals 0.57. Standing with the non-paretic foot is placed on a lateral foot wedge, was the best condition that increased the percentage of weight supported on the paretic limb to 47.18% and improved the symmetry index to 0.90. Non-significant improvement of symmetry index 0.61 was recorded when carrying a weighted bag with the paretic hand, but carrying with the non-paretic hand unnecessarily loads the non-paretic limb and further decreases the symmetry index to 0.49.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Using a lateral foot wedge beneath the non-paretic foot and carrying a weighted bag with the paretic hand improve the loading function of the paretic limb and relief the non-paretic limb from overloading.
authors: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Dammam, Dammam, Egypt. Alaa ibrahim40@yahoo.com
authors: Alaa I
authors: AI
authors: Ibrahim
authors: Adel A
authors: AA
authors: Alhusaini
authors: Fatma A
authors: FA
authors: Hegazy
authors: Ziad M
authors: ZM
authors: Hawamdeh
mesh_terms: D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology; D004856:Postural Balance; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology*