Article

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of shock wave
therapy on gait pattern in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. DESIGN:
Fifteen children were assigned to the study group, whose members received shock
wave therapy (1500 shots/muscle, frequency of 5Hz, energy of 0.030 mJ/mm, one
session/wk). Another 15 were assigned to the control group, whose members
participated in a conventional physical therapy exercise program for 3 successive
months. Baseline and posttreatment assessments were performed using the Modified
Ashworth Scale to evaluate spasticity degrees and using a three-dimensional gait
analysis to evaluate gait parameters. RESULTS: Children in the study group showed
a significant improvement when compared with those in the control group (P <
0.005). The Modified Ashworth scores after treatment were 1.86 (0.22) and 1.63
(0.23) for the control and study groups, respectively. The gait parameters
(stride length, cadence, speed, cycle time, and stance phase percentage) after
treatment were 0.5 m, 125 steps/min, 0.6 m/sec, 0.48 sec, and 50.4% and 0.74 m,
119 steps/min, 0.75 m/sec, 0.65 sec, and 55.9% for the control group and the
study group, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Shock wave therapy may be a useful tool
for improving spasticity and gait pattern in children with hemiplegic cerebral
palsy.

Langue : ANGLAIS