Effect of orthopedic elastic bandages on gait symmetry and walking ability in children with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy / 中国康复理论与实践

ABSTRACT

ObjectiveTo investigate the short-term efficacy of orthopedic elastic bandages on gait symmetry and walking ability in children with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy. MethodsFrom June, 2020 to June, 2023, 31 children with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy from Beijing Bo'ai Hospital were randomly divided into control group (n = 15) and experimental group (n = 16). Both groups received routine rehabilitation, while the control group received routine walking training, and the experimental group wore an orthopedic elastic bandage for walking training, for four weeks. The indexes of gait symmetry of foot deviation angle ratio (affected/healthy), step length ratio (affected/healthy), gait line ratio (affected/healthy) and standing stage ratio (affected percentage/healthy percentage) were calculated before and after training, and they were measured step width and the optional and maximum walking speed of 10-meter walk test (10MWT). ResultsOne case dropped off in the experimental group. After training, the foot deviation ratio, step length ratio, gait line ratio, and standing stage ratio improved in both groups (|t| > 2.434, P < 0.05), and they were better in the experimental group than in the control group (|t| > 2.230, P < 0.05); while the optional and maximum walking speed of 10MWT improved in both groups (|t| > 9.186, P < 0.001), and they were better in the experimental group than in the control group (|t| > 2.278, P < 0.05). ConclusionWearing orthopedic elastic bandages during rehabilitation can promote the gait symmetry and walking ability of children with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy.