Analyzing the Efficacy of Anti-Gravity Treadmill in Enhancing Gait and Balance among Patients with Spastic Cerebral Palsy - A Critical Review
Background: In the pediatric population, cerebral palsy is the most prevalent neurological condition. As the result of prenatal or perinatal events, the cause of this complex physical disability is cast over the congenital fragility. There is often a challenge in gait and balance for individuals...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
INTI International University
2024
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://eprints.intimal.edu.my/1909/1/ij2024_01.pdf http://eprints.intimal.edu.my/1909/ https://intijournal.intimal.edu.my |
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| Summary: | Background: In the pediatric population, cerebral palsy is the most prevalent neurological
condition. As the result of prenatal or perinatal events, the cause of this complex physical disability
is cast over the congenital fragility. There is often a challenge in gait and balance for individuals
with spastic cerebral palsy. Innovative interventions for spastic cerebral palsy such as the anti-gravity treadmill which simulates partial weight-bearing have been sparked in innovative
rehabilitation technologies. This study aims to assess published studies on anti-gravity treadmill
training, evaluating their strengths and weaknesses, considering study design, sample size,
outcomes, and limitations. This critical review will make recommendations for future research and
address the limitations identified in the current body of literature.
Methods: A quantitative research critical review form is used to analyze the eleven studies with
different study designs, including 6 Randomized Control Trials, 2 Experimental Study, 1
Prospective Study, 1 Systematic review and meta-analysis and 1 study where not clearly
mentioned about their study design. This review includes studies obtained from Google Scholar,
PubMed, Cochrane, and ResearchGate databases. Our primary focus revolves around the studies
with populations of spastic cerebral palsy and outcomes associated with balance and gait.
Conclusion: This critical review concludes that the anti-gravity treadmill enhances gait and
balance for children with spastic cerebral palsy. There were positive outcomes despite variations
in methodologies and limited studies, including improved gait patterns and enhanced balance. In
spite of the necessity for standardized research, anti-gravity treadmills may be an effective way to
address the motor challenges of those with spastic cerebral palsy. The long-term efficacy of this
intervention needs to be confirmed and compared with alternatives through further robust studies. |
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