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Trunk Control And Gross Motor Outcomes After Body-Weight Supported Treadmill Training In Young Children With Severe Cerebral Palsy: A Case Series, Megan Flores, Carolyn Da Silva

Physical Therapy Collection

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Children with cerebral palsy (CP) in Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels IV and V present with decreased gross motor function and trunk control that impacts their functional activities and participation in family activities. Research indicates body-weight supported treadmill training (BWSTT) may improve motor control for children with neuromotor disabilities. The toddler years present a window of opportunity for developmental changes. The purpose of this case series was to explore the impact of a 6-week BWSTT intervention on postural control and gross motor function in 3 young children with cerebral palsy in GMFCS levels IV and …

Caregiver Perspectives On Body-Weight Supported Treadmill Training As An Intervention For Young Children With Cerebral Palsy, Megan Flores, Carolyn Da Silva

Physical Therapy Collection

PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: Children with cerebral palsy (CP) in Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels IV and V present with challenges that impact their functional activities and participation in family activities. The purpose of this study was to examine caregivers’ perspectives on body-weight supported treadmill training (BWSTT) as an intervention for their young children with CP.

NUMBER OF SUBJECTS: Participants included 4 caregivers of children with CP in GMFCS levels IV (n = 2) and V (n = 2) who previously participated in 6 weeks of BWSTT.

MATERIALS/METHODS: Three children diagnosed with CP in GMFCS levels IV and V between the …

Trunk Control And Gross Motor Outcomes After Body Weight Supported Treadmill Training In Young Children With Severe Cerebral Palsy: A Non-Experimental Case Series, Megan Flores, Carolyn P Da Silva

Physical Therapy Collection

OBJECTIVE: To explore the impact of a body weight supported treadmill training (BWSTT) intervention on postural control and gross motor function in three young children with cerebral palsy (CP) classified as Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels IV or V.

METHOD: Children (N = 3) between the ages of 2-3 years who were diagnosed with CP classified as GMFCS levels IV and V participated in BWSTT three times per week. The Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control (SATCo) and the gross motor function measure (GMFM-66) were assessed before and after the 6-week intervention.

RESULTS: Final testing revealed …

Stability Of The Gross Motor Function Classification System, Manual Ability Classification System, And Communication Function Classification System., Robert J Palisano, Lisa Avery, Jan Willem Gorter, Barbara Galuppi, Sarah Westcott Mccoy

Physical Therapy Publications

AIM: To determine the stability of the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), Manual Ability Classification System (MACS), and Communication Function Classification System (CFCS) over 1-year and 2-year intervals using a process for consensus classification between parents and therapists.

METHOD: Participants were 664 children with cerebral palsy (CP), 18 months to 12 years of age, one of their parents, and 90 therapists. Consensus between parents and therapists on level of function was ≥92% for the GMFCS, MACS, and CFCS. A linearly weighted kappa coefficient of ≥0.75 was the criterion for stability.

RESULTS: Kappa coefficients varied from 0.76 to 0.88 for …

A Collaborative Approach To Decision Making Through Developmental Monitoring To Provide Individualized Services For Children With Cerebral Palsy., Doreen J Bartlett, Sarah W Mccoy, Lisa A Chiarello, Lisa Avery, Barbara Galuppi, On Track Study Team

Physical Therapy Publications

In this Perspective, we suggest a process to improve physical and occupational therapists’ and families’ collaboration to provide appropriate, efficient, and effective evidence-based services to improve motor function, self-care performance, and participation in family and recreation activities for children with cerebral palsy (CP). This process is informed by 2 multisite prospective cohort studies (Move & PLAY and On Track). The heterogeneity of children with CP is described, limiting the utility of evidence from randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews to inform service planning for children with CP. An evidence-based alternative using prospective cohort studies that produce knowledge of determinants of …

Team Joseph's Bike Trailer, Keely Thompson, Curtis Wathne, Ryan Meinhardt

Mechanical Engineering

This final design report shows the results of this senior project’s design process of creating a custom bike trailer for Team Joseph. As done in the Scope of Work, Preliminary Design report, and Critical Design report, current products, relevant technologies, and American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards are fully researched and benchmarked to aid in the design selection process. Customer requirements are looked at and developed into engineering specifications. A detailed design was created for CDR to show to Team Joseph, and manufacturing and testing plans were laid out. This final design report adds the final design revisions …

The Impact Of Body-Weight Supported Locomotor Training In A Toddler With Gmfcs Level V Cerebral Palsy: A Case Study, Megan Flores, Carolyn Da Silva

Physical Therapy Collection

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Children with cerebral palsy (CP) in Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level V present with decreased gross motor function and trunk control that impacts their functional activities and participation in family activities. Research indicates body-weight supported locomotor training (BWSLT) may improve motor control for children with neuromotor disabilities. The toddler years present a window of opportunity for developmental changes. The purpose of this case study was to explore the impact of a 6-week BWSLT intervention on postural control, gross motor function, and quality of life in a young child with cerebral palsy in GMFCS level …

Assistive Technology And The Impact Of Occupations, Chelsea Golding, Chantelle Bond, Vhernna Fernandez, Eizelle Barrientos

Student Research Posters

Objective: The purpose of this research was to empirically examine the occupational impact of assistive technology - AT (with a specific focus on word prediction, text to speech and speech recognition) from the perspectives of the end user, family and school personnel (e.g. teachers, therapists & specialists) across various contexts (e.g. home, school, community).

Method: Qualitative data included semi-structured interviews, audio and video recordings, and records reviews. The data was coded and analyzed using a constant comparison method to identify themes pertaining to the occupational use of AT and thusly the impact to overall occupational performance.

Findings: Six themes were …

Interrelationships Of Functional Status And Health Conditions In Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Descriptive Study., Doreen Bartlett, Emily Dyszuk, Barbara Galuppi, Jan Willem Gorter

Physical Therapy Publications

PURPOSE: To examine the relationship among the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), the Manual Ability Classification System (MACS), and the Communication Function Classification System (CFCS) in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and to determine the average number and effect of health conditions.

METHODS: Participants were 671 children with CP aged 2 to 12 years from Canada and the United States. Cross-tabulation of functional classifications and averages were computed for the number and impact of health conditions and comparisons among groups.

RESULTS: A total of 78 of the 125 possible classification combinations were recorded. Most frequent were GMFCS I, MACS …

Changes In Reach To Eat Movement Control After Intensive Training For Children With Unilateral Cerebral Palsy, Yaching Hung, Aryeh D. Spingarn

Publications and Research

Ya Ching Hung EdD. and Aryeh Spingarn EP-C, CSCS, EIM-Level 2 Queens College, City University of New York Department of Family, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences, Changes in Reach to Eat Movement Control After Intensive Training for Children with Unilateral Cerebral Palsy. Purpose: The current study compares the effects of an intervention on children with Congenital Hemiplegia during a simple eating task using kinematic analyses. Previous studies looked at simple bimanual tasks such as opening a drawer; no studies examined the effects of intensive training on unimanual reach, grasp, and eat movement control. Methods: 20 children with Unilateral Spastic Cerebral Palsy …

Muscle Synergy During A Single Leg Standing Test In Ambulatory Children With Cerebral Palsy, Brennan L. Smith

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

INTRODUCTION: Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a sensorimotor disorder characterized by dysfunctional motor coordination, balance problems, and loss of selective motor control. Motor coordination exhibited as co-contraction, has been subjectively quantified using gait analysis, but recent studies have begun to objectively analyze the amount of co-contraction by collecting electromyography (EMG) data. Center of pressure excursion (COPE) measurements collected during a single leg standing test (SLST) have shown to be more valid measurements of balance in populations with motor disabilities than a SLST alone. A recent study has correlated increased COPE velocity with a lower fall risk as determined by reported fall …