Relationship between Movement Quality, Functional Ambulation Status, and Spatiotemporal Gait Parameters in Children with Myelomeningocele.

AIMS

We investigated relationships among the Pediatric Neuromuscular Recovery Scale (Peds NRS), modified Hoffer Scale, and spatiotemporal gait parameters in children with myelomeningocele (MMC).

METHODS

21 children with MMC, age 5.3 years (SD = 2.6), were assessed by three clinicians using the Peds NRS and modified Hoffer Scale. In eight children, gait parameters were also measured.

RESULTS

The Peds NRS summary score demonstrated good correlation with modified Hoffer Scale score ( = -0.64,  = 0.002) that accounted for 41% of variation in summary score. Six Peds NRS seated/standing items exhibited good relationships with modified Hoffer Scale ( = -0.51 to -0.70,  ≤ 0.023), and the sit-to-stand item demonstrated an excellent relationship ( = -0.85,  < 0.001). Sit-to-stand and three standing/walking items exhibited excellent associations with cadence ( = 0.81 to 0.88,  ≤ 0.014), and swing and stance time (both = -0.83 to -0.90,  ≤ 0.01). Two Peds NRS standing items and modified Hoffer Scale score demonstrated good correlations with velocity ( = 0.71,  = 0.047; = -0.73,  = 0.04, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that children with MMC who exhibit greater movement quality and trunk control are likely to be functional ambulators with more optimal spatiotemporal gait parameters.