J Korean Phys Ther.  2023 Apr;35(2):48-52. 10.18857/jkpt.2023.35.2.48.

The Effect of Induced Weight Bearing Method Using a Cane on Weight Bearing Distribution in Children with Spastic Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy

• Park SH
• Choi JY
• Son SM

• KMID: 2552707
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.18857/jkpt.2023.35.2.48

Abstract

Purpose
This study was undertaken to determine whether the position of cane use affects the distribution of weight-bearing on both feet of children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy in a standing posture.
Methods
Twenty participants with cerebral palsy were recruited as volunteers for this study. Using the Zebris FDM-System, weightbearing distribution according to the method of using a cane was measured under three conditions in randomized order: (1) standing unaided (no cane); (2) standing with the affected side using the cane; and (3) standing with the non-affected side using the cane. The cane was matched by measuring length-from-floor to the greater trochanter of the subject, and was placed 15 cm outward from the little toe on the supporting side.
Results
Evaluating the method of using a cane under the three conditions, we determined that pressure of the foot on the affected side was higher in the order: standing with affected side using cane > standing unaided (no cane) > standing with non-affected side using cane (p< 0.05). In the post-hoc analysis, a significant difference was observed between (i) standing unaided (no cane) and standing with the affected side using cane, and (ii) standing with affected side using cane and standing with non-affected side using cane (p< 0.05).
Conclusion
This study suggests that induced weight-bearing methods using a cane on the affected side could increase the weightbearing capacity on the affected side in children with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy, which will have a positive effect on reducing asymmetry weight support.

Keyword

Weight induced strategy; Cane; Cerebral palsy