Review
Neurosciences
Mauro Nardon, Federico Ruzzante, Leslie O'Donnell, Alessandra Adami, Sudarshan Dayanidhi, Matteo Bertucco
Summary: Individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) have higher energy expenditure and oxygen cost during walking compared to age-matched typically developing (TD) individuals, with a strong relationship across Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels. Oxygen cost is considered the preferred parameter to assess walking efficacy in CP, but there is a knowledge gap in age-related changes of walking efficiency across GMFCS levels. Further longitudinal research is needed to explore the energetics of walking in this population.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Alyssa M. Spomer, Benjamin C. Conner, Michael H. Schwartz, Zachary F. Lerner, Katherine M. Steele
Summary: This study showed that audiovisual biofeedback was crucial in increasing plantarflexor engagement during walking, while combining audiovisual and sensorimotor modalities further boosted the rate of gait adaptation. Understanding how individuals may prioritize different forms of sensory information can inform the design and selection of biofeedback systems for clinical care.
JOURNAL OF NEUROENGINEERING AND REHABILITATION
(2023)
Article
Rehabilitation
Corinna N. Gerber, Lena Carcreff, Anisoara Paraschiv-Ionescu, Stephane Armand, Christopher J. Newman
Summary: A study evaluating the reliability of IMUs in measuring walking performance in children with CP and healthy controls found high ICCs for gait parameters in children with CP when measured on 2 school days, but lower ICCs for control children and lowest when comparing a school day with a weekend. PA was reliably assessed when measured on the same weekday 2 to 4 weeks apart, but had lower ICC values for other comparisons. MDC95 values were high for all comparisons, questioning the setup's responsiveness as an outcome measure for interventions.
ANNALS OF PHYSICAL AND REHABILITATION MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Ji-Young Choi, Sung-Min Son, Se-Hee Park
Summary: The study suggests that backward walking training with motor dual tasks could be a more effective interventional approach than forward walking training to improve the balance and walking functions of children with spastic hemiplegia, showing significant improvement especially in walking speed.
Article
Rehabilitation
Shijun Yan, Seoung Hoon Park, Renee Keefer, Weena Dee, Ana-Marie Rojas, William Zev Rymer, Ming Wu
Summary: The study aimed to investigate the effects of bilateral trunk support during walking on trunk and leg kinematics and neuromuscular responses in children with cerebral palsy. The results showed that providing bilateral support to the trunk significantly influenced the displacement of the pelvis and trunk during walking. Children with cerebral palsy demonstrated improved gait performance, including increased step length and step height, when provided with bilateral or combined trunk support.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL MEDICINE & REHABILITATION
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Yushin Kim, Thomas C. Bulea, Diane L. Damiano
Summary: This study examines the influence of external environmental changes on muscle synergies in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and typically developing children (TD). The findings suggest that muscle synergies in children with CP are more sensitive to changes in the external walking environment.
FRONTIERS IN HUMAN NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Alexis Sidiropoulos, Richard Magill, Andrew Gordon
Summary: Children with cerebral palsy often struggle with inter-limb coordination, which may be due to deficits in motor control, muscle tone, and weakness. Improving upper extremity function through interventions like intensive motor-learning based rehabilitation can lead to better gait coordination. Analysis of this coordination should include relative phase analysis for a more detailed understanding.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Nicole Zahradka, Ahad Behboodi, Ashwini Sansare, Samuel C. K. Lee
Summary: The study demonstrated the feasibility of using a FES system with increased stimulation options during walking in children with cerebral palsy. By designing individualized stimulation programs, significant improvements in gait parameters were observed.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Jinuk Lee, Min-Hwa Suk, Soojin Yoo, Jeong-Yi Kwon
Summary: This study examines the relationship between the intensity of habitual physical activity (HPA) and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in school-age children with cerebral palsy (CP). The results showed that physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE) significantly predicted various domains of HRQOL in children with CP.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Rehabilitation
Annie Pouliot-Laforte, Audrey Parent, Reggie Hamdy, Pierre Marois, Martin Lemay, Laurent Ballaz
Summary: This study evaluates the relationship between walking capacities and muscle strength in children with bilateral cerebral palsy (BCP). The results show a logarithmic relationship between muscle strength and walking capacities, with a stronger impact in weaker children. Therefore, preserving and reinforcing muscle strength is crucial in interventions targeting motor function in weaker children with BCP.
DISABILITY AND REHABILITATION
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Nancy Lennon, Chris Church, Thomas Shields, M. Wade Shrader, John Henley, Tim Niiler, Julieanne P. Sees, Freeman Miller
Summary: This study used instrumented gait analysis, patient-reported outcomes, and accelerometers to investigate walking activity in adults with cerebral palsy (CP). The results showed that physical function, as measured by GMFCS and PROMIS, and self-selected walking velocity were the strongest predictors of walking activity in adults with CP. Factors such as employment and age also influenced walking activity to a certain extent.
Article
Pediatrics
Hanaa Mohsen Abd-Elfattah, Fairouz Hatem Ameen, Reham Alaa Elkalla, Sobhy M. Aly, Noha Ahmed Fouad Abd-Elrahman
Summary: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of loaded functional strengthening exercises using a plantigrade foot position and a shoe supporter on muscle strength and walking ability in spastic hemiplegic children. The results showed that this training method was more effective in improving muscle strength and functional walking capacity in the intervention group compared to the control group.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Yongjin Ahn, Juntaek Hong, Dain Shim, Joong-on Choi, Dong-wook Rha
Summary: This study compared the muscle activation patterns of real and simulated walking in children with spastic cerebral palsy and found differences between the two conditions, which should be taken into account for gait training using an end-effector-type robot.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Peter C. Raffalt, Jesper Bencke, Kristian Mortensen, Tina P. Torabi, Christian Wong, Merete B. Speedtsberg
Summary: This study suggests that systematic treatment with the Exopulse (R) suit can alter the nonlinear dynamics of trunk accelerations during walking in children with unilateral CP, but does not affect variability. The temporal structure of trunk acceleration in the anterior-posterior direction becomes more similar to that of healthy individuals after treatment.
CLINICAL BIOMECHANICS
(2022)
Article
Rehabilitation
Audrey Parent, Fabien Dal Maso, Annie Pouliot-Laforte, Yosra Cherni, Pierre Marois, Laurent Ballaz
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate kinematic changes and muscle fatigue in children with cerebral palsy walking with jump gait, finding an association between increased knee flexion and knee extensor weakness, as well as fatigue in the gluteus medius muscle. The results suggest that interventions targeting the endurance of the gluteus medius muscle may improve jump gait in these children.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL MEDICINE & REHABILITATION
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Jana Tuijtelaars, Melvyn Roerdink, Bart Raijmakers, Frans Nollet, Merel-Anne Brehm
Summary: This study found significant differences in walking adaptability between polio survivors and healthy individuals, with polio survivors showing lower target-stepping accuracy and obstacle avoidance success rates. Especially in reactive obstacle avoidance situations that require step adjustments under high time-pressure demands, their performance was less ideal.
Article
Neurosciences
N. F. J. Waterval, K. Veerkamp, T. Geijtenbeek, J. Harlaar, F. Nollet, M. A. Brehm, M. M. van der Krogt
Summary: The study validated a predictive simulation framework for walking with bilateral plantarflexor weakness and showed a quadratic relationship between plantarflexor strength and walking energy cost and speed. The simulations indicated that pathological gait features emerge especially when bilateral plantarflexor weakness exceeds 60%.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Niels F. J. Waterval, Merel-Anne Brehm, Jaap Harlaar, Frans Nollet
Summary: The study showed that in individuals with calf muscle weakness, the current supplier recommendations for the stiffness level of the ankle-foot orthoses are often too stiff, achieving only 80% of the energy cost reduction compared to the experimentally optimized stiffness. It is recommended to experimentally optimize the stiffness to maximize treatment outcomes.
JOURNAL OF NEUROENGINEERING AND REHABILITATION
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
N. F. J. Waterval, M. A. Brehm, J. Harlaar, F. Nollet
Summary: Individuals with unilateral plantar flexor weakness exhibit higher impact forces on the contralateral leg compared to healthy subjects. Energy cost optimized dorsiflexion leaf AFOs can significantly reduce this force and improve impact symmetry in individuals with unilateral plantar flexor weakness.
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
T. A. M. Oud, E. Lazzari, H. J. H. Gijsbers, M. Gobbo, F. Nollet, M. A. Brehm
Summary: The current literature on the effectiveness of 3D-printed orthoses for traumatic and chronic hand conditions consists of primarily small and poor quality studies. Well-designed controlled trials are needed, including patient-related outcomes, production time, and cost analyses.
Article
Rehabilitation
Jana Tuijtelaars, Martine Jeukens-Visser, Frans Nollet, Merel-Anne Brehm
Summary: This study explored factors associated with walking adaptability and found that leg muscle weakness and reduced balance confidence are limiting factors for walking adaptability in polio survivors. The study also revealed that target-stepping performance is related to falling. These findings are important for fall prevention in polio survivors.
ARCHIVES OF PHYSICAL MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
N. F. J. Waterval, V. L. Meekes, M. T. Hooijmans, M. Froeling, R. T. Jaspers, J. Oudeman, A. J. Nederveen, M. A. Brehm, F. Nollet
Summary: This study investigated the changes in plantar flexor function during walking in individuals with neuromuscular diseases using diffusion tensor imaging and T2 imaging. The results showed a correlation between T2 relaxation time and plantar flexor strength, ankle moment, and power, while fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity were only related to plantar flexor strength.
CLINICAL BIOMECHANICS
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Jana Tuijtelaars, Merel-Anne Brehm, Frans Nollet, Melvyn Roerdink
Summary: This study demonstrated the validity and reproducibility of the C-Mill walking-adaptability assessment in polio survivors. Adding walking-adaptability assessment, particularly the more challenging tests, to currently used clinical tests could improve fall-risk evaluation in this population.
Editorial Material
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Niels F. J. Waterval, Merel-Anne Brehm
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CARDIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Elza van Duijnhoven, Fieke S. Koopman, Hilde E. Ploeger, Frans Nollet, Merel-Anne Brehm
Summary: This study found that specialized care orthoses provided better treatment outcomes compared to usual care orthoses for adults with NMD. Guideline-based orthotic care within a multidisciplinary expertise setting could improve goal attainment and walking ability.
Review
Rehabilitation
Sander Oorschot, Merel-Anne Brehm, Joost Daams, Frans Nollet, Eric Lucas Voorn
Summary: This study summarized the evidence on the efficacy of aerobic exercise on aerobic capacity in slowly progressive neuromuscular diseases (NMDs). The findings showed that aerobic exercise can improve aerobic capacity directly post-intervention, but the long-term efficacy remains unclear.
ANNALS OF PHYSICAL AND REHABILITATION MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Laura M. M. Oudenhoven, Marjolein M. M. Van Der Krogt, Sanne Ettema, Karin Roeleveld, Merel A. A. Brehm, Annemieke I. I. Buizer
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effects of fatigue on kinematics, kinetics, and energy cost of walking in children with cerebral palsy. The results showed that kinematic deviations occurred in children with cerebral palsy during prolonged walking, while kinetics and energy cost of walking did not significantly change. Therefore, an individualized approach is recommended to study the effects of physical fatigue on gait in clinical practice.
DEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE AND CHILD NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
N. F. J. Waterval, M. A. Brehm, K. Veerkamp, T. Geijtenbeek, J. Harlaar, F. Nollet, M. M. van der Krogt
Summary: In order to maximize the effects of dorsal leaf ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) on gait in people with bilateral plantarflexor weakness, the AFO properties should be matched to the individual. This study investigated the interaction of AFO bending stiffness with neutral angle and footplate stiffness on gait function. The results showed that higher AFO bending stiffness and dorsiflexion of the neutral angle minimized energy cost of walking and normalized joint kinematics and kinetics.
JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS
(2023)
Article
Rehabilitation
Jana Tuijtelaars, Max Keller, Frans Nollet, Merel-Anne Brehm, Jaap van Dieen, Melvyn Roerdink
Summary: This study investigated the fatigue experienced by polio survivors during 6-min walking and how it influenced their normal and adaptive walking. The results showed that leg-muscle activation declined over time during adaptive walking and cardiorespiratory fatigue increased during all tests, especially in polio survivors. Furthermore, walking adaptability was further degraded by cardiorespiratory fatigue during narrow-beam walking in polio survivors. These findings suggest that fatigue might increase the risk of falls among polio survivors.
JOURNAL OF REHABILITATION MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Rehabilitation
Bart Raijmakers, Roelofine A. Berendsen-De Gooijer, Hilde E. Ploeger, Fieke S. Koopman, Frans Nollet, Merel-Anne Brehm
Summary: This study investigated the use of custom-made knee-ankle-foot orthoses in daily life and the differences in usability factors between users and discontinued users among polio survivors. The majority of survivors used their knee-ankle-foot orthoses in daily life. Factors related to continued use include walking ability without orthosis, expectations of the orthosis, previous orthosis experience, and type of knee-ankle-foot orthosis provided.
JOURNAL OF REHABILITATION MEDICINE
(2022)
