Anti-gravity treadmill training for children with cerebral palsy: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Reem M Alwhaibi; Naglaa Abdelhaleem; Menna Mahmoud; Hossam Mortada; Ahmed Gomaa; Maged Hamed; Samar Taher; Shorouk Elshennawy

doi:10.53730/ijhs.v6nS8.13280

Authors

Reem M Alwhaibi Rehabilitation Sciences Department, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Naglaa Abdelhaleem Independent Researcher, Aswan Insurance Hospital, Aswan, Egypt
Menna Mahmoud Demonstrator in the Department of physical therapy for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Ahram Canadian University, Giza, Egypt
Hossam Mortada
hossammnuoreldin@gmail.com
Biomechanics Department, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Ahram Canadian University, Giza, Egypt
Ahmed Gomaa Pediatric Physical Therapy Department, Cairo University Specialized Children Hospital, Giza, Egypt
Maged Hamed Faculty of Physical Therapy, Misr University for Science and Technology, Giza, Egypt
Samar Taher Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Physical therapy, Kafr Elsheikh University, Kafr Elsheikh, Egypt
Shorouk Elshennawy Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt & Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Physical therapy, Misr University for Science and Technology, Giza, Egypt

Keywords:

antigravity treadmill, cerebral palsy, children, AlterG

Abstract

Background: Walking dysfunction in children with cerebral palsy (CP) contributes to significant limitations in participating properly in daily living activities. Various types of treadmills have emerged to address this obstacle such as the antigravity treadmill (AGT) which aims towards reducing the effect of gravity on its users. Aim: This systematic review examines the literature on the effectiveness of (AGT) on walking abilities in children with CP. Methods: Protocol registration (CRD42020164202) in April 2020 was followed by six electronic database searches for randomized clinical trials (RCTs), examining the effectiveness of AGT on walking and balancing abilities in children with CP. The included studies were assessed for quality using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale. Results: Three studies of good quality met the inclusion criteria. AGT was significantly associated with improved walking velocity and cadence, while stride length showed insignificant difference between groups (SMD= 0.07, 95%CI 0.06 to 0.08, p< 0.00001),(SMD= 12.29, 95%CI 9.58 to 14.99, p< 0.00001) and (SMD= 0.07, 95%CI -0.08 to 0.23, p< 0.36).

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