Article

Most children with cerebral palsy have increased muscle tension in the
lower extremities, which inevitably leads to abnormal gait characteristics.
Proper management of excessive muscle tension is therefore of great importance.
The aim of this study was to explore the effects of continuous passive motion on
children with cerebral palsy, regarding their lower extremity spastic hypertonia
and ambulatory function. DESIGN: A repeated measures design. SUBJECTS: Sixteen
children with cerebral palsy. METHODS: Intervention was applied to the subject's
knees with a continuous passive motion device (at velocities of 15 and 0
masculine/s) for 20 min. Effects were evaluated via variables measuring
range-of-motion, muscle tone, and ambulatory function before, immediately after,
and 30 min after intervention. RESULTS: For the 15 masculine/s intervention,
significant differences were found in time, intervention, and interaction among
variables, including active range-of-motion of the knee (increased), relaxation
index (increased), Modified Ashworth Scale (decreased), Timed Up-and-Go
(decreased), and 6-Minute Walk test (increased). No difference was found in
passive range of motion measurements. For the 0 masculine/s control condition,
none of the dependent variables demonstrated statistically significant
differences. CONCLUSION: Repetitive passive movement can reduce lower extremity
spastic hypertonia in children with cerebral palsy, and improve ambulatory
function in terms of walking speed.

Langue : ANGLAIS