The Effects of Over-Ground Robot-Assisted Gait Training for Children with Ataxic Cerebral Palsy: A Case Report

Myungeun Yoo, Jeong Hyeon Ahn, Eun Sook Park, Myungeun Yoo, Jeong Hyeon Ahn, Eun Sook Park

Abstract

Poor balance and ataxic gait are major impediments to independent living in ataxic cerebral palsy (CP). Robot assisted-gait training (RAGT) has been shown to improve the postural balance and gait function in children with CP. However, there is no report on the application of RAGT for children with ataxic CP. Here, we report two cases of children with ataxic CP who underwent over-ground RAGT along with conventional therapy for 4 weeks. Outcome measures including the gross motor function measure (GMFM), pediatric balance scale, pediatric reach scale, one-minute walk test, and Timed Up and Go test were assessed before and after the 4-week intervention. Both cases were well adapted to the RAGT system without any significant adverse event. Improvements in the GMFM after RAGT, compared with that in the GMFM, after intensive conventional therapy have been reported previously. It is noteworthy that over-ground RAGT improved areas of the GMFM that did not improve with conventional therapy. In addition, over-ground RAGT with conventional therapy led to improvements in functional balance and walking capacity. These findings suggest that over-ground RAGT is feasible and may be a potential option for enhancing balance and functional walking capacity in children with ataxic CP.

Keywords: ataxic; cerebral palsy; gait; over-ground; postural balance; robotic training.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Untethered exoskeleton used in this study. (a) shoulder strap, (b) back strap, (c) thigh band, (d) calf band, (e) outsole, (f) battery cover, (g) handles held by an assistant to prevent side-to-side sway and assist weight-shift during training, (h) tablet used to control the starting or stopping of the robot, (i) actuator for the hip joint, (j) actuator for the knee joint, (k) ankle band.

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