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Evaluation of Outcomes of Robotics Rehabilitation in Cerebral Palsy

Active, not recruiting
Conditions
Cerebral Palsy
Gait Disorders, Neurologic
Registration Number
NCT06594653
Lead Sponsor
IRCCS Eugenio Medea
Brief Summary

The use of robotic devices in rehabilitation programs can improve walking patterns by reorganizing joint kinematics. This study aims to quantify the effects of a rehabilitation program supported by the Lokomat (Hocoma) robotic device on walking in children and young people with movement disorders, considering different levels of impairment.

Detailed Description

Cerebral Palsy is one of the most common neuromotor disorders in pediatric age, characterized by permanent movement and posture impairments, often affecting walking. In recent decades, advancements in robotics have revolutionized rehabilitation. Studies have shown that combining conventional physiotherapy with robotic rehabilitation tools offers greater benefits in patient recovery. At the IRCCS Eugenio Medea, a robotic rehabilitation program using the Lokomat (Hocoma) has been implemented for several years to improve walking in children and young people with walking disorders. The investigators hypothesize that robotic devices can enhance walking ability (e.g., speed, stride length) and reorganize joint kinematics. This study aims to quantify the effects of this treatment based on the level of impairment.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
59
Inclusion Criteria
  • diagnosis of CP;
  • able to walk independently with or without assistance
Exclusion Criteria
  • presence of behavioral problems;
  • presence of uncontrolled seizures
  • presence of severe visual disturbances.

Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Effectiveness of the rehabilitation program in terms of gait speedThrough study completion, an average of 1 year

Starting from the data collected through Gait Analysis for each subject during the pre-treatment and post-treatment sessions, the walking speed \[m\\s\] will be calculated. Moreover, the pre- and post-treatment results will be compared for each subject.

Effectiveness of the rehabilitation program in terms of cadenceThrough study completion, an average of 1 year

Starting from the data collected through Gait Analysis for each subject during the pre-treatment and post-treatment sessions, the walking cadence \[step/min\] will be calculated. Moreover, the pre- and post-treatment results will be compared for each subject.

Effectiveness of the rehabilitation program in terms of stride lengthThrough study completion, an average of 1 year

Starting from the data collected through Gait Analysis for each subject during the pre-treatment and post-treatment sessions, the stride length \[mm\] will be calculated. Moreover, the pre- and post-treatment results will be compared for each subject.

Effectiveness of the rehabilitation program in terms of step widthThrough study completion, an average of 1 year

Starting from the data collected through Gait Analysis for each subject during the pre-treatment and post-treatment sessions, the step width \[mm\] will be calculated. Moreover, the pre- and post-treatment results will be compared for each subject.

Effectiveness of the rehabilitation program in terms of gait phaseThrough study completion, an average of 1 year

Starting from the data collected through Gait Analysis for each subject during the pre-treatment and post-treatment sessions, the gait phase \[cycle%\] will be calculated. Moreover, the pre- and post-treatment results will be compared for each subject.

Effectiveness of the rehabilitation program in terms of lower limbs ROMThrough study completion, an average of 1 year

Starting from the data collected through Gait Analysis for each subject during the pre-treatment and post-treatment sessions, the lower limbs ROM \[°\] will be calculated. Moreover, the pre- and post-treatment results will be compared for each subject.

Effectiveness of the rehabilitation program in terms of summary gait parameters GDIThrough study completion, an average of 1 year

Starting from the data collected through Gait Analysis for each subject during the pre-Starting from the data collected through Gait Analysis for each subject during the pre-treatment and post-treatment sessions, the summary gait parameter Gait Deviation Index (GDI) will be calculated. A GDI of 100 or higher indicates the absence of gait pathology. Moreover, the pre- and post-treatment results will be compared for each subject.

Effectiveness of the rehabilitation program in terms of summary gait parameters GPSThrough study completion, an average of 1 year

Starting from the data collected through Gait Analysis for each subject during the pre-Starting from the data collected through Gait Analysis for each subject during the pre-treatment and post-treatment sessions, the summary gait parameter Gait Profile score (GPS)\[°\] will be calculated. A GPS of 7 or lower indicates the absence of gait pathology. Moreover, the pre- and post-treatment results will be compared for each subject.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Treatment effect based on the level of impairment about walk fatiqueThrough study completion, an average of 1 year

For each subject, we administered the 6-Minute Walking Test to define impairment levels (moderate vs. severe impairment). The improvement of each group will be evaluated.(moderate vs. severe impairment). The improvement of differn group will be evaluate.

Treatment effect based on the level of impairment about gross motor abilityThrough study completion, an average of 1 year

For each subject, we administered the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) to define impairment levels, distinguishing between moderate and severe impairments. The GMFCS consists of five levels: Level I indicates no walking impairment, while the subsequent levels indicate increasing degrees of impairment. The improvement of each group (moderate vs. severe impairment) will be evaluated.

Treatment effect based on the level of impairment about functional activityThrough study completion, an average of 1 year

For each subject, we administered the Functional Activities Questionnaire (FAQ) to define impairment levels, distinguishing between moderate and severe impairments. FAQ sum scores range from 0 to 30, with a cut-off of 9 indicating dependence in three or more activities. The improvement of each group (moderate vs. severe impairment) will be evaluated.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

IRCCS E. Medea

🇮🇹

Bosisio Parini, Italy

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