Sit-to-stand movement changes in preschool-aged children with spastic diplegia following one neurodevelopmental treatment session--a pilot study.

PURPOSE

This study was designed to provide a better understanding of how a single neurodevelopmental treatment (NDT) session affects sit-to-stand (STS) movements in children with cerebral palsy (CP).

METHODS

Eight children with spastic diplegia and five typically developing children, aged 4-6 years, participated in this study. The CP participants performed STS movements immediately before and after a 40-min NDT session. Using a three-dimensional, four-camera analysis system, angular movements involving the hip, knee and ankle joints of the participants were obtained.

RESULTS

During forward tilt of the trunk, the maximum and final angles after the NDT session significantly decreased compared with those before the session (p < 0.05, p < 0.01). Moreover, the final hip flexion after the session also significantly decreased compared with that before the session (p < 0.01). On the other hand, the initial, maximum and final ankle dorsiflexion angles after the session were significantly greater (p < 0.05, p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively) than before the session.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that a single NDT session enables children with CP to stand from a seated position without using some atypical movement patterns.

IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION

Preschool-aged children with spastic diplegia, with limited ability to independently transfer from a sitting position, and dependent on a wheelchair for mobility experience obstacles to enhanced activities of daily life and social participation. A single neurodevelopmental treatment session would enable children with spastic diplegia to perform sit-to-stand movements more efficiently, with selective muscle control. Understanding how a single neurodevelopmental treatment session affects sit-to-stand movements in children with spastic diplegia is invaluable for therapists planning more efficient therapeutic programs and may enable children with spastic diplegia to develop improved mobility.