title: The effect of training in an interactive dynamic stander on ankle dorsiflexion and gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the effect of active stretching of ankle plantarflexors using an interactive dynamic stander in children with cerebral palsy (CP).
  
  
  METHODS
  Six children in Gross Motor Function Classification System classes I-III, aged 4-10 years, trained intensive active dorsiflexion in an interactive dynamic stander using ankle movement to play custom computer games following a 10-week control period. Gross Motor Function Measure Item Set, gait performance and passive and active dorsiflexion with extended and flexed knee were chosen as outcome parameters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Median active and passive ankle dorsiflexion increased significantly (5 and 10 degrees, respectively) with extended knee. There was a small but clinically significant increase in gross motor function. The intervention had no effect on temporospatial gait parameters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In spite of the low number of participants, these results may indicate that intensive active stretching in an interactive dynamic stander could be an effective new conservative clinical treatment of ankle plantarflexor contracture in children with CP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy and.
authors.forename: Derek John
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Curtis
authors.forename: Jesper
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bencke
authors.forename: Bente
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mygind
mesh_terms: D000842:Ankle / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills; D011187:Posture; D012046:Rehabilitation / Q000379:methods; D018910:Video Games; D016138:Walking
keywords: Ankle; active stretching; cerebral palsy; gross motor function; range of motion; rehabilitation device