Hemiparetik Serebral Palsili Çocuklarda Robotik Yürüme Eğitiminin Etkilerinin İncelenmesi

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of robotic walking rehabilitation on walking, balance and motor functions in children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy. Twenty-four children between ages 5-12 years who regularly attend physical therapy and rehabilitation (PTR) program 3 times a week are included in the study. The children from families who accepted the robotic training (n=12) form the study group while others (n=12) form the control group. All children participated PTR program 3 times a week during 12 week whereas the children in the study group also attended walking training with 30X3 dk/hf Innowalk Pro. Walking of the children were measured with dynamic pedobarograph, oxygenation of the vastus lateralis muscle, peripheral oxygen saturation and change in heart rhythm were measured with near infrared spectroscopy during rest and exercise. Moreover, children were evaluated with stopping times on one-foot test, gross motor function test, pediatric balance test, 10 m-6 mins walking test, lower extremity functional muscular test and functional assessment questionnaire-walking scale test. All evaluations were repeated before and after treatment and 3 months after from the treatment for both groups. The test results were similar for both groups of children prior to treatment(p<0,05). After treatment, dynamic foot angle decreased, speed and endurance of walking and peripheric O2 saturation increased, balance abilities and functional performance evaluations are improved comparing pre treatment (p<0,05). Improvements in balance and functional performance were generally preserved after 3 months (p<0,05). An increase is found in 6 min walking distance, partially in gross motor functions and functional muscle strength (p<0,05) in control group, however, those abilities were not preserved after the treatment (p>0,05). As a result, usage of robotic rehabilitation in improving walking speed and endurance, balance and functional abilities of children with spastic hemiparetic cerebral palsy has shown.