DOS Kongressen 2014 ·
179
Measuring the effect of treatment on gait quality
in children with cerebral palsy – a retrospective
study
Anders Holsgaard-Larsen, Rasmus Skov Sørensen, Carsten Jensen, Dennis
Brandborg Nielsen, Annie Gam-Pedersen, Niels Wisbech Pedersen
The Orthopaedic Research Unit , Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and
Traumatology Odense University Hospital 2) Institute of Clinic
Background:
Gait Deviation Index (GDI) describes the overall gait quality and
summarizes it into a single score based upon three- dimensional gait analysis
(3DGA). In the Region of Southern Denmark, children with cerebral palsy (CP)
are referred to 3DGA if surgical intervention is considered and subsequently, as
a follow-up. Thus, the effect of treatment on gait quality in children with CP
may be quantified.
Purpose / Aim of Study:
In a retrospective study we investigated the effect
of treatment on gait quality (measured by GDI) in children with CP.
Materials and Methods:
Data from children (<16 years) diagnosed with CP
and referred to 3DGA (either as a diagnostic instrument or for the purpose of
follow- up) was extracted from a local database for the year 2012. The GDI
score was calculated for each child and limb and used for further analysis.
Findings / Results:
29 children with follow-up analysis were referred to 3DGA
in 2012. Children were diagnosed with unilateral (n = 6) or bilateral spastic CP
(n = 23). Age and GDI score at first 3DGA were 8.2 ± 2.8 years and 69 ± 11
(mean ± sd), respectively. Time between follow-ups was 710 ± 367 days. A
weak, albeit non-significant association between GDI and age was observed (r
= 0.25, 95CI: -0.13 to 0.56), suggesting the effect of age is only weakly re-
flected in gait quality. However, a significant negative association (r = 0.41,
95CI: -0.93 to -0.24) between GDI at first 3DGA and the improvement in GDI
was observed. Proposing, that children with poor gait quality, benefit more from
intervention than children with good.
Conclusions:
Significant improvements in GDI, especially for patients with poor
gait quality, were observed. The present study holds promise for future clinical
interpretations, involving more patients, and possibly providing a tool for strati-
fication on different treatments.
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