Article

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of a 4-wk
inpatient rehabilitation program on postural control and gait in pediatric
patients with cancer. DESIGN: Eighty-eight patients with brain tumors (n = 59)
and bone/soft tissue sarcomas (n = 29) were evaluated.
Postural control was
assessed examining the velocity of the center of pressure and single-leg stance
time on a pressure distribution platform. Walk ratio, a measure of neuromotor
control, was used to evaluate intervention effects on gait. RESULTS: Repeated
measures analysis of variance showed improvements in postural control measures,
indicated by a decrease in velocity of center of pressure of -0.4 cm/sec (F1,80 =
7.175, P = 0.009, etap = 0.082) and increase in single-leg stance time (mean
[median] = 1.1 [2.6] sec, respectively; F1,80 = 12.617,
P = 0.001, etap = 0.136).
Walk ratio increased by 0.2 mm/steps per min (F1,82 = 3.766, P = 0.056, etap =
0.044). Mean changes in dependent variables did not differ between both patient
groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate benefits of an inpatient
rehabilitation program comprising standard physical therapy as well as aquatic
and hippo therapy on postural control and gait after treatment of pediatric patients with cancer.
- Enfant

Langue : ANGLAIS