ABSTRACT
Background: The Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) is a commonly used method for clinically evaluating balance after traumatic brain injury. The utilization of force plates, characterized by their cost-effectiveness and portability, facilitates the integration of instrumentation into the BESS protocol. Despite the enhanced precision associated with instrumented measures, there remains a need to determine the clinical significance and feasibility of such measures within pediatric cohorts. Objective: To report a comprehensive set of posturographic measures obtained during instrumented BESS and to examine the concurrent validity, reliability, and feasibility of instrumented BESS in the pediatric point of care setting. Methods: Thirty-seven participants (18 female; aged 13.32 ± 3.31 years) performed BESS while standing on a force plate to simultaneously compute stabilometric measures (instrumented BESS). Ellipse area (EA), path length (PL), and sway velocity (VM) were obtained for each of the six BESS positions and compared with the respective BESS scores. Additionally, the effects of sex and age were explored. A second BESS repetition was performed to evaluate the test-retest reliability. Feedback questionnaires were handed out after testing to evaluate the feasibility of the proposed protocol. Results: The BESS total score was 20.81 ± 6.28. While there was no statistically significant age or sex dependency in the BESS results, instrumented posturography demonstrated an age dependency in EA, VM, and PL. The one-leg stance on a soft surface resulted in the highest BESS score (8.38 ± 1.76), EA (218.78 cm2 ± 168.65), PL (4386.91 mm ± 1859.00), and VM (21.93 mm/s ± 9.29). The Spearman's coefficient displayed moderate to high correlations between the EA (rs = 0.429-0.770, p = 0.001-0.009), PL (rs = 0.451-0.809, p = 0.001-0.006), and VM (rs = 0.451-0.809, p = 0.001-0.006) when compared with the BESS scores for all testing positions, except for the one-leg stance on a soft surface. The BESS total score significantly correlated during the first and second repetition (rs = 0.734, p ≤ 0.001), as did errors during the different testing positions (rs = 0.489-0.799, p ≤ 0.001-0.002), except during the two-legged stance on a soft surface. VM and PL correlated significantly in all testing positions (rs = 0.465-0.675, p ≤ 0.001-0.004; (rs = 0.465-0.675, p ≤ 0.001-0.004), as did EA for all positions except for the two-legged stance on a soft surface (rs = 0.392-0.581, p ≤ 0.001-0.016). A total of 92% of participants stated that the instructions for the testing procedure were very well-explained, while 78% of participants enjoyed the balance testing, and 61% of participants could not decide whether the testing was easy or hard to perform. Conclusions: Instrumented posturography may complement clinical assessment in investigating postural control in children and adolescents. While the BESS score only allows for the consideration of a total score approximating postural control, instrumented posturography offers several parameters representing the responsiveness and magnitude of body sway as well as a more differentiated analysis of movement trajectory. Concise instrumented posturography protocols should be developed to augment neuropediatric assessments in cases where a deficiency in postural control is suspected, potentially stemming from disruptions in the processing of visual, proprioceptive, and/or vestibular information.
ABSTRACT
Background: For children and adolescents affected by bilateral spastic cerebral palsy (BSCP), non-invasive neurostimulation with repetitive neuromuscular magnetic stimulation (rNMS) combined with physical exercises, conceptualized as functional rNMS (frNMS), represents a novel treatment approach. Methods: In this open-label study, six children and two adolescents (10.4 ± 2.5 years) with BSCP received a frNMS intervention targeting the gluteal muscles (12 sessions within 3 weeks). Results: In 77.1% of the sessions, no side effects were reported. In 16.7%, 6.3% and 5.2% of the sessions, a tingling sensation, feelings of pressure/warmth/cold or very shortly lasting pain appeared, respectively. frNMS was highly accepted by families (100% adherence) and highly feasible (97.9% of treatment per training protocol). A total of 100% of participants would repeat frNMS, and 87.5% would recommend it. The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure demonstrated clinically important benefits for performance in 28% and satisfaction in 42% of mobility-related tasks evaluated by caregivers for at least one follow-up time point (6 days and 6 weeks post intervention). Two patients accomplished goal attainment for one mobility-related goal each. One patient experienced improvement for both predefined goals, and another participant experienced improvement in one and outreach of the other goal as assessed with the goal attainment scale. Conclusions: frNMS is a safe and well-accepted neuromodulatory approach that could improve the quality of life, especially in regard to activity and participation, of children and adolescents with BSCP. Larger-scaled studies are needed to further explore the effects of frNMS in this setting.
ABSTRACT
Non-invasive neurostimulation as an adjunctive intervention to task-specific motor training is an approach to foster motor performance in patients affected by upper motor neuron syndrome (UMNS). Here, we present first-line data of repetitive neuromuscular magnetic stimulation (rNMS) in combination with personalized task-specific physical exercises targeting the tibialis anterior muscle to improve ankle dorsiflexion (functional rNMS (frNMS)). The main objective of this pilot study was to assess the feasibility in terms of adherence to frNMS, safety and practicability of frNMS, and satisfaction with frNMS. First, during 10 training sessions, only physical exercises were performed (study period (SP) A). After a 1 week break, frNMS was delivered during 10 sessions (SPC). Twelve children affected by UMNS (mean age 8.9 ± 1.6 years) adhered to 93% (SPA) and 94% (SPC) of the sessions, and omittance was not related to the intervention itself in any case. frNMS was safe (no AEs reported in 88% of sessions, no AE-related discontinuation). The practicability of and satisfaction with frNMS were high. Patient/caregiver-reported outcomes revealed meaningful benefits on the individual level. The strength of the ankle dorsiflexors (MRC score) clinically meaningfully increased in four participants as spasticity of ankle plantar flexors (Tardieu scores) decreased in four participants after SPC. frNMS was experienced as a feasible intervention for children affected by UMNS. Together with the beneficial effects achieved on the individual level in some participants, this first study supports further real-world, large-scale, sham-controlled investigations to investigate the specific effects and distinct mechanisms of action of frNMS.
ABSTRACT
Background: Impaired selective motor control, weakness and spasticity represent the key characteristics of motor disability in the context of bilateral spastic cerebral palsy. Independent walking ability is an important goal and training of the gluteal muscles can improve endurance and gait stability. Combining conventional physical excercises with a neuromodulatory, non-invasive technique like repetitive neuromuscular magnetic stimulation probably enhances effects of the treatment. This prospective study aimed to assess the clinical effects of repetitive neuromuscular magnetic stimulation in combination with a personalized functional physical training offered to children and adolescents with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy. Methods: Eight participants Gross Motor Function Classification System level II and III (10.4 ± 2y5m; 50% Gross Motor Function Classification System level II) received a personalized intervention applying functional repetitive neuromuscular magnetic stimulation (12 sessions within 3 weeks; 12,600 total stimuli during each session). At baseline and follow up the following assessments were performed: 10-m-walking-test, 6-min-walking-test, GMFM-66. Six weeks after the end of treatment the patient-reported outcome measure Gait Outcome Assessment List was completed. Results: GMFM-66 total score improved by 1.4% (p = 0.002), as did scoring in domain D for standing (1.9%, p = 0.109) and domain E for walking, jumping and running (2.6%, p = 0.021). Gait speed or distance walked during 6 min did not improve from baseline to follow up. Patient-reported outcome showed improvement in 4 patients in altogether 14 ratings. Caregiver-reported outcome reported benefits in 3 participants in altogether 10 ratings. Conclusion: Repetitive neuromuscular magnetic stimulation promises to be a meaningful, non-invasive treatment approach for children and adolescents with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy that could be offered in a resource-efficient manner to a broad number of patients. To further investigate the promising effects of repetitive neuromuscular magnetic stimulation and its mechanisms of action, larger-scaled, controlled trials are needed as well as comprehensive neurophysiological investigations.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Motor impairment due to spasticity, weakness, and insufficient selective motor control is a key feature of cerebral palsy (CP). For standing and walking, the gluteal muscles play an important role. Physical therapy represents an evidence-based treatment to promote strength and endurance but may be limited to address selective motor control. Treatment incorporating neurostimulating techniques may increase the therapeutic benefits in these situations. PURPOSE: The aim of this case report was to evaluate the feasibility, safety and clinical effects of a customized protocol of functional repetitive neuromuscular magnetic stimulation (frNMS). METHODS: This case report describes a frNMS protocol applied to the gluteal muscles in an 8-year old boy with bilateral spastic CP. The protocol combines 12 sessions of customized physiotherapeutic exercises with simultaneous electromagnetic stimulation. RESULTS: frNMS protocol was adhered to as planned, no relevant adverse events were observed. At day fourafter the intervention the patient reported clinical benefits and improvements of standing and walking assessed by Gross Motor Function Measure dimensions D (+5.1%) and E (+4.2%) were documented. Body sway as measured by center of pressure displacement during posturography decreased. CONCLUSION: Clinical studies are warranted to assess effects of frNMS and its mechanisms of action in a controlled setting.