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Analysis of Running Gait in Children with Cerebral Palsy: Barefoot vs. a New Ankle Foot Orthosis

Author

Listed:
  • Federica Camuncoli

    (Department of Electronics Information Technology and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy)

  • Alessia Barbonetti

    (Department of Electronics Information Technology and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy)

  • Luigi Piccinini

    (Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, 23842 Lecco, Italy)

  • Eugenio Di Stanislao

    (ITOP SpA Officine Ortopediche, Palestrina, 00036 Rome, Italy)

  • Claudio Corbetta

    (Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, 23842 Lecco, Italy)

  • Gabriele Dell’Orto

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, 20156 Milan, Italy)

  • Filippo Bertozzi

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, 20156 Milan, Italy)

  • Manuela Galli

    (Department of Electronics Information Technology and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy)

Abstract

Running is an essential activity for children with cerebral palsy (CP). This study aims to characterize the locomotor pattern of running in hemiplegic children with new generation ankle foot orthosis (AFOs) conceived to foster intense motor activities such as running. A group of 18 children with spastic hemiplegia was recruited. A biomechanical multivariable comparison was made between barefoot and with AFO running trials. The focus was devoted to bilateral sagittal plane hip, knee, ankle kinematics and kinetics, and three-dimensional ground reaction forces. Wearing the orthoses, the children were found to reduce cadence and the duration of the stance phase as well as increase the step and stride length. The new AFO resulted in significant changes in kinematics of affected ankle both at initial contact 0–3% GC ( p < 0.017) and during the entire swing phase 31–100%GC ( p < 0.001) being the ankle more dorsiflexed with AFO compared to barefoot condition. Ankle power was found to differ significantly both in absorption and generation 5–10%GC ( p < 0.001); 21–27%GC ( p < 0.001) with a reduction in both cases when the AFO was worn. No statistical differences were recorded in the GRF components, in the affected ankle torque and hip and knee kinematics and kinetics.

Suggested Citation

  • Federica Camuncoli & Alessia Barbonetti & Luigi Piccinini & Eugenio Di Stanislao & Claudio Corbetta & Gabriele Dell’Orto & Filippo Bertozzi & Manuela Galli, 2022. "Analysis of Running Gait in Children with Cerebral Palsy: Barefoot vs. a New Ankle Foot Orthosis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-10, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:21:p:14203-:d:958278
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    Cited by:

    1. Andrea Ancillao & Arno Verduyn & Maxim Vochten & Erwin Aertbeliën & Joris De Schutter, 2022. "A Novel Procedure for Knee Flexion Angle Estimation Based on Functionally Defined Coordinate Systems and Independent of the Marker Landmarks," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-9, December.

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