• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.16-26
• /
• 2017

Purpose: This study was conducted to develop a Korean version of the trunk control measurement scale (TCMS) and examine the reliability and concurrent validity of the K-TCMS in children with cerebral palsy. Methods: Subjects for the study were 23 children with cerebral palsy (CP)(mean age: 84.70 months) recruited from one CP clinic. For the interrater and test-retest reliabilities, four raters (A, B, C, D) measured the K-TCMS two times using video clips with an interval of two weeks. For the concurrent validity, the Korean version of the gross motor function measure (K-GMFM) was chosen. Inter-rater reliability and test-retest reliability of the three K-TCMS subscale (static sitting balance, dynamic sitting balance and dynamic reaching) scores and the total scores were investigated using the intra-correlation coefficient ($ICC_{3,1}$). Spearman's correlation coefficient (r) was calculated to investigate the concurrent validity. Results: The inter-rater reliability of the K-TCMS subscales and total scores were all high ($ICC_{3,1}=0.968-0.992$). For the test-retest reliability, $ICC_{3,1}=0.827-0.962$. The concurrent validity between the K-TCMS's total and three subscale scores and K-GMFM's total score were r=0.600-0.667. Conclusion: The results suggest that the K-TCMS can be used in clinical and research settings as a standardized tool for CP children. The K-TCMS might be also useful for selecting treatment goals and planning interventions for children with cerebral palsy.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.58-65
• /
• 2017

Background: Children with cerebral palsy (CP) have impaired postural control, but critically require the control of stability. Consequently, therapeutic interventions for enhancing postural control in children with CP have undergone extensive research. One intervention is sensorimotor training (SMT) using a Flexi-bar, but this has not previously been studied with respect to targeting trunk control in children with CP. Objects: This study was conducted to determine the effect of SMT using a Flexi-bar on postural balance and gait performance in children with CP. Methods: Three children with ambulatory spastic diplegia (SD) participated in the SMT program by using a Flexi-bar for forty minutes per day, three times a week, for six weeks. Outcome variables included the pediatric balance scale (PBS), trunk control movement scale (TCMS), 10 meter walking test (10MWT), and 3-dimensional movement coordination measurement. Results: The SMT provided no statistically significant improvement in PBS, TCMS, 10MWT, or 3-dimensional movement coordination measurement. However, positive changes were observed in individual outcomes, as balance and trunk control movement were improved. Conclusion: SMT using a Flexi-bar may be considered by clinicians as a potential intervention for increasing postural balance and performance in children with SD. Future studies are necessary to confirm the efficacy of Flexi-bar exercise in improving the functional activity of subjects with SD.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Sensory Integration
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.9-18
• /
• 2019

Objective : This study investigated the effect of intensive weight shift training (IWST) on the ability to balance in a sitting posture of children with spastic cerebral palsy (SCP). Methods : One child with spastic diplegia participated in this study for a total of 8 weeks using the ABA experimental design. For the pre-intervention period (A1), general physical therapy (GPT) for children with SCP was performed. The intervention period (B1 and B2), GPT and IWST were conducted for children with SCP, and GPT was conducted again for the post-intervention period (A'1 and A'2). Trunk control capacity was measured using the Korean Trunk Control Measurement Scale (TCMS-K) and Biorescue (RM Ingenierie, France). Results : All TCMS-K variables increased from A1 to B2, and decreased from B2 to A'2. The total area with limit of stability (LOS) increased from A1 to B2, and decreased from B2 to A'2. The ratio of the left/right (Lt/Rt) and anterior/posterior (Ant/Post) LOS area was closer to 1, meaning symmetry, in B2 than in A1. The ratio of the Lt/Rt LOS area decreased further from 1 in A'2 than in B2. The ratio of the Ant/Post LOS area was closer to 1 in A'2 than in B2. Conclusion : IWST had a positive effect on the improvement of balance in the sitting posture of a child with SCP. The results suggest that IWST might help to improve the balance abilities of children with SCP for independent sitting, postural control, and activities of daily living.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.77-82
• /
• 2017

Objective: Swimming and water-based exercise (WE) programs can provide vigorous physical activity in a fun and a motivating environment. The properties of water, may make it easier for children with cerebral palsy (CP) to move and to participate in an WE program. The aims of this study was to evaluate the effect of WEs on postural control in children with spastic CP. Design: Quasi-experimental design (one group pretest-posttest design). Methods: Twenty preschoolers with spastic CP participated in this study. Prior to the application, sufficient warm-up training was performed to allow the subjects to adapt to the water. Afterwards, three different types of underwater leg exercises for the flexor, extensor, and adductor/abductor of muscles of the lower limb were performed. The WE program lasted during 8 weeks, with one-40 minute sessions per week (8 training session). The usual care was performed during the training session. The Korean-trunk control measurement scale (K-TCMS) and weight distribution variability (difference of both Fz) were measured before and after training session. Results: According to the results, the K-TCMS scores of the three sub-levels, including static sitting, dynamic sitting, and dynamic reaching, was significantly increased after the training session (p<0.05). Also, the weight distribution variability was significantly decreased after 8 weeks (p<0.05). Conclusions: We suggest that WEs may improve the postural control ability in children with spastic CP. Furthermore, we support the need for additional research on the effect of WE on gait or activity of daily living performance with a control group included.