Asymmetry in sensory-motor function between the lower limbs in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy: An observational study
The objective of this study was to examine the difference in sensory-motor impairments (i.e., balance, contracture, coordination, strength, spasticity, and sensation) between legs in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. An observational study measured both lower limbs of children with hemiplegic...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Chinese Journal of Physiology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.cjphysiology.org/article.asp?issn=0304-4920;year=2023;volume=66;issue=5;spage=345;epage=350;aulast=Chiu |
| _version_ | 1797352202505814016 |
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| author | Hsiu-Ching Chiu Louise Ada Rong-Ju Cherng Chiehfeng Chen |
| author_facet | Hsiu-Ching Chiu Louise Ada Rong-Ju Cherng Chiehfeng Chen |
| author_sort | Hsiu-Ching Chiu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The objective of this study was to examine the difference in sensory-motor impairments (i.e., balance, contracture, coordination, strength, spasticity, and sensation) between legs in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. An observational study measured both lower limbs of children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy over one session. Six sensory-motor impairments (balance, coordination, strength, spasticity, contracture, and proprioception) were measured. The between-leg differences were analyzed using the paired t-tests and presented as the mean differences (95% confidence interval (CI)). Twenty-four participants aged 10.3 years (standard deviation: 1.3) participated. The affected leg was less than the less-affected leg in terms of the strength of dorsiflexors (mean difference (MD) -2.8 Nm, 95% CI −4.2 to −1.4), plantarflexors (MD -2.6 Nm, 95% CI −4.1 to −1.0), knee extensors (MD -5.3 Nm, 95% CI −10.2 to −0.5) as well as range of ankle dorsiflexion (MD -8 deg, 95% CI −13 to −3), and balance (median difference -11.1, 95% CI −11.6 to −10.6). There was a trend toward a difference in terms of the strength of hip abductors (MD -2.6 Nm, 95% CI −5.3 to 0.1) and coordination (MD -0.20 taps/s, 95% CI −0.42 to 0.01). The legs were similar in terms of the strength of hip extensors (MD 0.3 Nm, 95% CI -4.7 to 5.3), proprioception (MD 1 deg, 95% CI 0 to 2), and spasticity (median difference 0, 95% CI 0 to 0). Examination of the difference in sensory-motor impairments between legs in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy has given us some insights into the deficits in both legs. Not only was balance, strength, and coordination decreased compared with the less-affected leg but also the less-affected leg was markedly decreased compared with typically developing children. Therefore, an intervention aimed at increasing muscle strength and coordination in both legs might have a positive effect, particularly on more challenging physical activities. This may, in turn, lead to successful participation in mainstream sport and recreation. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T13:11:53Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-006c67ff682343acae8f7a245db602cd |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0304-4920 2666-0059 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T13:11:53Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Chinese Journal of Physiology |
| spelling | doaj.art-006c67ff682343acae8f7a245db602cd2024-01-18T11:08:58ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsChinese Journal of Physiology0304-49202666-00592023-01-0166534535010.4103/cjop.CJOP-D-23-00057Asymmetry in sensory-motor function between the lower limbs in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy: An observational studyHsiu-Ching ChiuLouise AdaRong-Ju CherngChiehfeng ChenThe objective of this study was to examine the difference in sensory-motor impairments (i.e., balance, contracture, coordination, strength, spasticity, and sensation) between legs in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. An observational study measured both lower limbs of children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy over one session. Six sensory-motor impairments (balance, coordination, strength, spasticity, contracture, and proprioception) were measured. The between-leg differences were analyzed using the paired t-tests and presented as the mean differences (95% confidence interval (CI)). Twenty-four participants aged 10.3 years (standard deviation: 1.3) participated. The affected leg was less than the less-affected leg in terms of the strength of dorsiflexors (mean difference (MD) -2.8 Nm, 95% CI −4.2 to −1.4), plantarflexors (MD -2.6 Nm, 95% CI −4.1 to −1.0), knee extensors (MD -5.3 Nm, 95% CI −10.2 to −0.5) as well as range of ankle dorsiflexion (MD -8 deg, 95% CI −13 to −3), and balance (median difference -11.1, 95% CI −11.6 to −10.6). There was a trend toward a difference in terms of the strength of hip abductors (MD -2.6 Nm, 95% CI −5.3 to 0.1) and coordination (MD -0.20 taps/s, 95% CI −0.42 to 0.01). The legs were similar in terms of the strength of hip extensors (MD 0.3 Nm, 95% CI -4.7 to 5.3), proprioception (MD 1 deg, 95% CI 0 to 2), and spasticity (median difference 0, 95% CI 0 to 0). Examination of the difference in sensory-motor impairments between legs in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy has given us some insights into the deficits in both legs. Not only was balance, strength, and coordination decreased compared with the less-affected leg but also the less-affected leg was markedly decreased compared with typically developing children. Therefore, an intervention aimed at increasing muscle strength and coordination in both legs might have a positive effect, particularly on more challenging physical activities. This may, in turn, lead to successful participation in mainstream sport and recreation.http://www.cjphysiology.org/article.asp?issn=0304-4920;year=2023;volume=66;issue=5;spage=345;epage=350;aulast=Chiucerebral palsycoordinationhemiplegiaimpairmentsmuscle strength |
| spellingShingle | Hsiu-Ching Chiu Louise Ada Rong-Ju Cherng Chiehfeng Chen Asymmetry in sensory-motor function between the lower limbs in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy: An observational study Chinese Journal of Physiology cerebral palsy coordination hemiplegia impairments muscle strength |
| title | Asymmetry in sensory-motor function between the lower limbs in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy: An observational study |
| title_full | Asymmetry in sensory-motor function between the lower limbs in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy: An observational study |
| title_fullStr | Asymmetry in sensory-motor function between the lower limbs in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy: An observational study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Asymmetry in sensory-motor function between the lower limbs in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy: An observational study |
| title_short | Asymmetry in sensory-motor function between the lower limbs in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy: An observational study |
| title_sort | asymmetry in sensory motor function between the lower limbs in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy an observational study |
| topic | cerebral palsy coordination hemiplegia impairments muscle strength |
| url | http://www.cjphysiology.org/article.asp?issn=0304-4920;year=2023;volume=66;issue=5;spage=345;epage=350;aulast=Chiu |
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