• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.155-159
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• 2013

Purpose: Circumference of the chest and waist can be one of clinical indicator to reflect respiratory function in children with cerebral palsy. In this study, we compared to differences in the chest/waist circumference and maximal phonation time between children with spastic diplegia and hemiplegia. Methods: Seventeen children with spastic diplegic and hemiplegic cerebral palsy were recruited, who were matched to gender, age, height, weight, and body mass index for control of the known factors affected to respiratory function. The chest/waist circumference and were measured in each group, when children took a breath at rest and at maximal voluntary inspiration/expiration. Results: No significant differences were found in the chest and waist circumference and expansion between the two groups. However, only in the waist expansion, children with diplegic CP were significantly lower extensibility of lung, compared to the other group. In comparison of the maximal phonation time, a significant lower score was shown in children with spastic diplegic CP, compared to children with hemiplegic CP. Conclusion: Our results indicated that children with spastic diplegic CP had smaller chest wall and waist, compared to children with spastic hemiplegic CP. In addition, they showed a shorter time for sustaining phonation than spastic hemiplegic CP did. Therefore, spastic diplegic CP will be required for careful monitor regarding respiratory function in rehabilitation settings.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.81-90
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• 2012

The aim of the current study was to assess the effectiveness of backward gait training on the treadmill in patients with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy (CP). Twelve patients with spastic diplegic CP participated in the study. An 8-week course of backward gait training was administered to the subjects for 3 days per week. Pre-intervention and post-intervention assessments of temporal-spatial gait parameters, the symmetry of the bilateral lower extremity weight bearing, and gross motor function were analyzed using motion analysis system, force plate, and Gross Motor Function Measurement (GMFM). There were significant improvements (p<.05) in the measures of both step length and right stance phase time. Joint kinematics showed increase in right hip abduction in initial contact and terminal swing, right hip external rotation and knee flexion in mid-swing, left ankle dorsiflexion in initial contact and terminal swing (p<.05). The symmetry of the bilateral lower extremity weight bearing and GMFM also significantly increased (p<.05). These findings indicate that backward gait training using a treadmill is beneficial for patients with spastic diplegic CP.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.274-279
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• 2014

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the change of static and dynamic foot pressure on trunk stabilization exercise in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy. Methods: This study examined five male children participants ages 10~14 years old with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy. All subjects participated in a 6-week sling exercise program for trunk stabilization; the exercise was performed three times per week and each session lasted 50 minutes. The subjects were measured for static and dynamic foot pressure and bilateral symmetry of both feet before and after the trunk stabilization exercise. Results: The static foot pressure increased significantly before and after the trunk stabilization exercise (left foot: before $0.41{\pm}0.02%BW/cm^2$ after $0.79{\pm}0.02%BW/cm^2$, right foot: before $0.14{\pm}0.03%BW/cm^2$, after $0.43{\pm}0.44%BW/cm^2$) (p<0.05) and bilateral symmetry of both feet increased (before $0.27{\pm}0.18%BW/cm^2$, after $0.37{\pm}0.05%BW/cm^2$) with more weight shift on left foot than right foot, but was not statistically significant (p>0.05). The dynamic foot pressure increased (left foot: before $2.58{\pm}0.44%BW/cm^2$, after $3.40{\pm}0.31%BW/cm^2$, right foot: before $2.75{\pm}0.19%BW/cm^2$, after $3.26{\pm}0.18%BW/cm^2$) with more weight shift on right foot than left foot, but was not statistically significant (p>0.05), and bilateral symmetry of both feet decreased (before $0.31{\pm}0.36%BW/cm^2$, after $0.13{\pm}0.20%BW/cm^2$) (p<0.05). Conclusion: The findings of this study indicated that the trunk stabilization exercise has a positive impact on static and dynamic foot pressure in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.237-243
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• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of toe wedges on the gait ability of adolescents with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy. Methods: Six adolescents with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy participated in this study. During the participants walked with- and without toe wedges, the gait ability was analyzed using the electronic walkway system. Gait parameters, including velocity, cadence, step length, stride length, single support time, and double support time, were collected and analyzed. Results: When the participants walked with toe wedges, there were significant improvements in gait velocity, cadence, and double support time compared to those without toe wedges (p<0.05). However, there were no significant differences in step length, stride length, and single support time. Conclusion: Toe wedges may have a positive effect on the gait ability of adolescents with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy. However, it is necessary to conduct high-quality studies to identify the effects of toe wedges.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.197-202
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• 2009

Calcaneal or calcaneovalgus deformity can occur after surgical treatment of equinus or eguinovarus deformity in cerebral palsy patient. It is a serious complication and the results of many conservative and operative treatments are reported unsatisfactory. We experienced one case of both calcaneovalgus deformity following operative treatment of diplegic equinovarus deformity in a spastic cerebral palsy patient and report about the result of the treatment.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.198-201
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• 2012

Purpose: We investigated to evaluate the effectiveness of water-based exercise (WE) program on respiratory functions for children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy (CP). Methods: Fourteen children with spastic diplegic CP were randomly assigned, to either the experimental group (EG, n=7), or the control group (CG, n=7). Respiratory function was measured by a spirometer, a CardioTouch 3000S ( Bionet, Seoul, Korea) at a chair-sitting posture. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV1), peak expiratory flow (PEF) were measured. The intervention program will last 8 weeks, with three 40 minutes sessions per week (24 training session). The usual care and the addition of a WE program, were compared in the CG and EG, respectively. Results: The EG showed a significant increase in the FVC, FEV1, PEF after training (p<0.05), whereas there was no significant difference in the CP after training. In the EG, FVC increased significantly, compared to the control group (p<0.05), but not FEV and PEF. Conclusion: These findings suggest that WE program have an effect on the respiratory function in children with spastic diplegic CP.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.47-51
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether there are any differences, with and without a toe spreader (TS), in dynamic foot pressure distribution in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy. Methods: Dynamic foot pressure recording using the RSscan system were obtained during walking in 12 participants (male=7, female=5) with and without TS. Mean force was measured for four different plantar regions; great toe, forefoot, midfoot, hindfoot. Displacement of center of pressure (COP), velocity of COP displacement and stance time were also measured during gait. Results: TS walking exhibited statistically significant decrease of mean force under great toe and forefoot (p<0.05), compared with a barefoot walking. Also, TS walking exhibited statistically significant increase of antero-posterior displacement of COP (p>0.05). Conclusion: These findings indicate the potential clinical utility of toe spreader to correct dynamic foot pressure during stance phase in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.43-49
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• 2015

Purpose: The aim of the current study was to examine the effects of hinged ankle-foot orthosis (HAFO) on walking function in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy (CP). Methods: Thirty-two children (mean age: $6.79{\pm}0.35years$, age range: 5-7 years) who were diagnosed with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy participated in the study. Each subject typically walked through 10 meters of a gait platform with markers on the subject's proper body segments and underwent 3-D motion analysis system with and without hinged ankle-foot orthosis. The HAFOs were all custom-made for individual CP children and had plantarflexion stop at $0^{\circ}C$ with no dorsiflexion stop. The interventions were conducted over three trials in each group, and measurements were performed on each subject by one examiner in three trials. 3-D motion analysis system was used to measure gait parameters such as walking velocity, cadence, step-length, step-width, stride-length, and double support period in two conditions. Results: The walking velocity, cadence, step-length, and stride-length were significantly greater for the HAFO condition as compared to the no HAFO condition (p<0.05). However, no significant difference in step-width and double support period was observed between two conditions. Conclusion: These findings suggest that using the HAFO during walking would suggest positive evidence for improving the spatiotemporal parameters of gait in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.117-125
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• 2013

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of trunk muscle strengthening exercises on balance performance of sitting posture and upper extremity function, targeting the children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy. METHODS: 20 children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy were sampled at random and the tests were conducted for 6 weeks, 3 times per week. For experimental groups, basic physical therapy and trunk muscle strengthening exercises were conducted and for control groups, only basic physical therapy was conducted. BPM(Balance Performance Monitor) was used to measure balance performance and QUEST(quality of upper extremity skills test) was used to measure the upper extremity function. RESULTS: The comparison of changes in sitting balance performance in between experimental groups and control groups show significant difference (p<.05), the changes of the upper extremity function in experimental groups and control groups show significant difference (p<.05). CONCLUSION: Trunk muscle strengthening exercises are effective in improving balance performance and the upper extremity function for the children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.189-197
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• 2011

Purpose: Trunk muscle weakness in the children with cerebral palsy can lead to postural and alignment problems, breathing difficulties, and so on. Therefore, children with cerebral palsy can benefit from exercises that strengthen the muscles in their trunks. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of trunk muscle strengthening exercise on functional gross movement and balance ability in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy. Methods: We used single group repeated measure design in 8 children(four males, four females; aged 6~12 years; mean 8.3 years) with diplegia. The functional gross motor outcome measured by using the GMFM and balance ability of all children was measured by pediatric balance scale. All participants were alternately received trunk strengthening exercise and neurodevelopment treatment for 40 minutes twice per week during 8 weeks. Results: Significant and clinical meaningful improvement in functional gross motor and balance ability were shown. Conclusion: The results indicate that trunk strengthening exercise has a positive effect on both functional gross motor and balance ability in children with spastic diaplegic cerebral palsy.