Article

Electrical stimulation (ES) of proximal muscles during gait training
has not previously been reported as a management option for improving muscle tone
and gait in spastic diplegic children. Objective: To investigate the effects of
simultaneous continuous ES of both hip abductors and adductors during walking on
muscle tone, knee alignment and gait characteristics in children with spastic
diplegic cerebral palsy (CP). Subject: Three groups of children participated in
this project: the study group, consisting of 17 ambulant children with spastic
diplegic CP; a control group of 15 ambulant children with spastic diplegic CP;
and another control group, with 17 healthy children. Methods: The study group
underwent two different ES management programs. The first was a one-time trial
management program that involved ongoing ES of bilateral hip adductor and
abductor muscles at the sensory and motor levels, respectively, during walking
for a predetermined distance. The second ES program lasted for one week and
involved 15 minutes of ongoing ES of bilateral hip adductor and abductor muscles
at the sensory and motor levels, respectively, during walking for three sessions
a day for the week.Results: Marked improvement in gait performance (p < 0.001),
muscle tone (p < 0.01) and knee position of the study group was observed.
Conclusion: ES to the hip adductor and abductor muscles simultaneously at the
sensor and motor levels, respectively, improved gait in spastic diplegic CP
children.

Langue : ANGLAIS