A randomised controlled trial on the impact of the paediatric WalkAide 'Registered Trademark' (a drop-foot stimulator) and motor learning-based, gait focused physiotherapy on advanced motor skills and physical activity participation in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy.

Kerry Evans0 sites30 target enrollmentStarted: May 27, 2016Last updated: January 13, 2020

Overview

No summary available.

•1\) Children and young people aged 6\-19 years with a diagnosis of unilateral spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy OR bilateral spastic cerebral palsy (if they present and are treated as an asymmetrical presentation; individuals who require treatment on both sides would be excluded), GMFCS level I or II (i.e., walk/run without any device other than an ankle or foot orthosis);
•2\) Able to cognitively understand the physiotherapy and WalkAide instructions;
•3\) Prepared to attend study appointments.
•4\) Willing to use the WalkAide device and gradually increase wear time over acclimcatisation period, aiming for \>6 hours/day wear time for 8 weeks.

•Exclusion criteria are any of:
•1\) dystonia as primary contributor to their movement disorder;
•2\) skin allergies/reactions to adhesives/silicon;
•3\) lower limb Botulinum toxin or orthopaedic surgery in last 3 or 12 months respectively;
•4\) orthopaedic metalware around knee/leg on affected side;
•5\) uncontrolled seizure disorder;
•6\) passive ankle dorsiflexion range with knee extension of affected ankle of less than plantargrade;
•7\) score of 0 (no active) or 1 (EHL\+ \-EDL) on Selective Motor Control of dorsiflextion;
•8\) knee flexion contracture greater than 10 degrees flexion.

Sponsor

Kerry Evans