Article

In this study a gait classification method was developed and applied to subjects
with Cerebral palsy who walk with excessive knee flexion at initial contact.
Sagittal plane gait data, simplified using the gait features method, is used as
input into a k-means cluster analysis to determine homogeneous groups. Several
clinical domains were explored to determine if the clusters are related to
underlying pathology. These domains included age, joint range-of-motion,
strength, selective motor control, and spasticity. Principal component analysis
is used to determine one overall score for each of the multi-joint domains
(strength, selective motor control, and spasticity). The current study shows that
there are five clusters among children with excessive knee flexion at initial
contact. These clusters were labeled, in order of increasing gait pathology: (1)
mild crouch with mild equinus, (2) moderate crouch, (3) moderate crouch with
anterior pelvic tilt, (4) moderate crouch with equinus, and (5) severe crouch.
Further analysis showed that age, range-of-motion, strength, selective motor
control, and spasticity were significantly different between the clusters
(p<0.001). The general tendency was for the clinical domains to worsen as gait
pathology increased. This new classification tool can be used to define
homogeneous groups of subjects in crouch gait, which can help guide treatment
decisions and outcomes assessment.

Langue : ANGLAIS