Article

Back pain and ambulation deterioration among ambulatory individuals
with cerebral palsy (CP) are common as they grow older and walking aids are often
prescribed to improve stability and promote maximal weight-bear on lower limbs
during gait. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of walking aids on back muscle
activity and whole body kinematics among adolescents with spastic diplegia. STUDY
DESIGN: A repeated-measures design was adopted with participants tested under
different walking conditions. METHODS: Ten participants were recruited and
Lofstrand forearm crutches were selected. Both the activity of lumbar erector
spinae and the kinematics of head, trunk, pelvis and lower limbs during walking
were monitored using telemetric electromyography and motion analysis system
respectively. RESULTS: Comparisons between walking unaided and walking with
unilateral and bilateral crutch(es) were made. Significant decreases in speed,
cadence, erector spinae activity and lower trunk extension were observed during
crutch walking together with significantly increased stride time and anterior
pelvic tilt. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggested that Lofstrand crutch(es)
reduced muscular demands and lumbar lordosis with increased lower back mobility.
The results shed light on the prescription of walking aid in the management and
prevention of chronic back pain for ambulatory individuals with CP from a life
span perspective.

Langue : ANGLAIS