Independent Walking Speed and Crossing a City Street
| Status: | Completed |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Neurology |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Neurology |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 5 - 21 |
| Updated: | 5/20/2018 |
| Start Date: | November 2010 |
| End Date: | January 2016 |
The purpose of this study is to determine if selected sequence training using the Balance
Master, added to established physical therapy treatment programs, will increase gait velocity
of ambulatory children receiving inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation in relation to their
ability to cross an intersection within the confines of community traffic signal (>120
cm/sec).
Master, added to established physical therapy treatment programs, will increase gait velocity
of ambulatory children receiving inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation in relation to their
ability to cross an intersection within the confines of community traffic signal (>120
cm/sec).
The ability to adequately perform functional tasks at a level that allows independent
community living is key to measuring the success of any physical therapy program. The
essential tasks needed to allow independent community living have been well documented in the
elderly population. However, these tasks have not been delineated in the pediatric
population. The investigators aim to determine if selected sequence training using the
Balance Master, added to established physical therapy treatment programs, will increase gait
velocity of ambulatory children receiving in-or outpatient rehabilitation in relation to
their ability to cross an intersection within the confines of community traffic signal (>120
cm/sec). One essential task that is necessary in the urban environment is to have the ability
to cross a street within the time constraint of a traffic signal. Walking speed becomes
increasingly important for those living in urban settings, as the ability to cross the street
safely is fundamental for achieving independence. One of the major criticisms of
clinic/lab-based measures of gait speed is that relative performance may not be
representative of independence within the community. Participants aged 5 to 21 years, will be
recruited from the patient population at Blythedale Children's Hospital for a six week trial.
Children will be assigned to one of two random groups: one weekly Balance Master sequence
training group (in addition to their regularly scheduled therapy sessions) and a group that
continue regularly scheduled therapy sessions alone. Gait velocity will be measured by "Walk
Across" Functional Assessment using Balance Master long force plate.
community living is key to measuring the success of any physical therapy program. The
essential tasks needed to allow independent community living have been well documented in the
elderly population. However, these tasks have not been delineated in the pediatric
population. The investigators aim to determine if selected sequence training using the
Balance Master, added to established physical therapy treatment programs, will increase gait
velocity of ambulatory children receiving in-or outpatient rehabilitation in relation to
their ability to cross an intersection within the confines of community traffic signal (>120
cm/sec). One essential task that is necessary in the urban environment is to have the ability
to cross a street within the time constraint of a traffic signal. Walking speed becomes
increasingly important for those living in urban settings, as the ability to cross the street
safely is fundamental for achieving independence. One of the major criticisms of
clinic/lab-based measures of gait speed is that relative performance may not be
representative of independence within the community. Participants aged 5 to 21 years, will be
recruited from the patient population at Blythedale Children's Hospital for a six week trial.
Children will be assigned to one of two random groups: one weekly Balance Master sequence
training group (in addition to their regularly scheduled therapy sessions) and a group that
continue regularly scheduled therapy sessions alone. Gait velocity will be measured by "Walk
Across" Functional Assessment using Balance Master long force plate.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Ability to ambulate independently at least 25 feet with or without assistance device
and/or orthoses.
- Receiving physical therapy services that include ambulation training.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Diagnosis of a progressive disorder.
- Inability to follow directions.
- Uncorrected vision impairment.
- Require additional physical assistance to ascend a ramp and over force plate.
- Refusal to participate.
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