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Ballet Training in Children With Idiopathic Coxa Antetorta

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Femoral Anteversion
Registration Number
NCT06648408
Lead Sponsor
University Children's Hospital Basel
Brief Summary

This study looks at how ballet training affects movement and personal feelings in children with a condition called idiopathic coxa antetorta.

Detailed Description

Increased femoral anteversion (IFA) occurs when the top of the thigh bone tilts forward more than normal. Many healthy kids and teens aren't considered to have a problem with this as long as they show no symptoms, since it often corrects itself by the time they reach ages 12 to 14. However, experts believe this condition might lead to complications later in life. Research indicates that children with IFA may be more prone to issues like kneecap misalignment, knee pain, and even arthritis as they grow older. This is likely due to the way their knees bend differently when they walk. Kids with IFA often walk with their toes pointing inward, which increases their chances of tripping and falling. They may also experience pain that interferes with their daily activities. It is assumed that strengthening the hips and improving hip flexibility could help reduce the need for compensatory movements, ultimately lowering the risk of tripping, falling, and experiencing pain in everyday life. This study is a randomized controlled trial aimed at examining how ballet training influences knee movement-specifically knee flexion-during walking in children with idiopathic coxa antetorta. The goal is to determine whether ballet training enhances the children's overall mobility and how they feel about their ability to move. Additionally, the study seeks to find out how this training can be effectively incorporated into the daily routines of affected schoolchildren.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
17
Inclusion Criteria
  • Diagnosis of idiopathic coxa antetorta with FNA> 30°
  • Children between 8 and 12 years of age
  • Cognitive abilities must include: Ability to actively participate in a 60-minute ballet class; Ability to communicate pain or discomfort; Ability to attend training, testing and follow-up sessions. All included participants can make decisions on their own and do not show any signs of mental or cognitive limitations.
Exclusion Criteria
  • Any surgery within 6 months prior to the start of the study or surgery scheduled during the study period. Other medications can be continued as prescribed by the participants' physician
  • Known cardiovascular or pulmonary diseases that have not received medical clearance to participate in the physical exercise intervention
  • Neurological or other musculoskeletal comorbidities
  • The children should not have completed any ballet training in the last 12 months
  • Pregnancy

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Kinematic measurement andWeek1 and week 8

This study will track knee flexion during the mid-stance phase of walking, as children with coxa antetorta often show increased knee bending, which can lead to future knee issues. The children's walking will be recorded using a 2D gait analysis system on the C-Mill treadmill, offering accurate results while minimizing stress and reducing the chance of errors.

Subjective functional mobilityWeek1 and week 8

The children's mobility and quality of life will be assessed, using the parent-reported Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument (PODCI), a reliable questionnaire designed for children with musculoskeletal conditions. It measures various aspects of daily functioning and well-being, and the scores range from 0 to 100, with lower scores indicating more difficulties.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Gait AnalysisWeek1 and week 8

Gait analysis will be performed on the C-Mill by Motek treadmill. To ensure safety while determining the speed at which a stumble might occur, the children will be secured with a harness to prevent falls or injuries.

Measurement of femoral anteversion angle (°)Week1 and week 8

The femoral neck anteversion (FNA) will be measured using Craig's test, where we assess the angle at the prominent part of the hip while the child lies face down with their knee bent.

Measurement of hip strength (N)Week1 and week 8

The maximum strength of the hip flexors, extensors, external rotators, and abductors will be measured using dynamometers, which are reliable tools for checking how strong these muscles are.

Measurement of hip mobility (°)Week1 and week 8

The passive range of motion for internal and external rotation will be measured using a goniometer while the participants lie face down with their hip straight and knee bent at a 90° angle.

Feasibility assessmentWeek 8

To evaluate how feasible the intervention is, the number of training sessions the children actually attend will be tracked and compared to the planned sessions and calculate the attendance rate. The ballet teacher will maintain an attendance list, and the children will also record their participation in a specially designed, child-friendly diary.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Universitäts-Kinderspital beider Basel (UKBB)

🇨🇭

Basel, Switzerland

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