Weight distribution asymmetry in relation to walking speed in children with spastic cerebral palsy

BACKGROUND: Gait speed and postural stability are indicators of community level ambulation and may be a valuable measure of disability. OBJECTIVES: to investigate the relation between the distribution of weight on both lower extremities and gait speed in children with spastic cerebral palsy. METHODS: Evaluation for weight distribution on both lower limbs and speed during gait for sixty children with spastic diplegia and forty-five children with hemiplegia was carried out by the Biodex gait trainer. Pearson correlation test was conducted to determine the relation of the symmetry index and the percent of weight bearing to speed. RESULTS: A significant weak positive correlation was found between speed and symmetry index in diplegic group, while there was a non-significant weak negative correlation between speed and symmetry index was noticed in hemiplegic group. Nonsignificant weak positive correlation between speed and weight on most affected side was recorded in diplegic group. While in hemiplegic group, there was significant weak negative correlation between weight on affected side and speed. CONCLUSION: Children with cerebral palsy demonstrate asymmetrical weight distribution during walking. Physical therapy training should be directed to enhance weight bearing distribution thus improving gait and postural stability.