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Standing Programs to Promote Hip Flexibility in Children With Spastic Diplegic Cerebral Palsy

date:2015 Fall;27(3):243-9.
author:Macias-Merlo L1, Bagur-Calafat C, Girabent-Farrés M, Stuberg WA.

publication: Pediatr Phys Ther.
pubmed_ID: 26020594

 

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To investigate the effects of a standing program on the range of motion (ROM) of hip abduction in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy.

METHODS:

The participants were 13 children, Gross Motor Functional Classification System level III, who received physical therapy and a daily standing program using a custom-fabricated stander from 12 to 14 months of age to the age of 5 years. Hip abduction ROM was goniometrically assessed at baseline and at 5 years.

RESULTS:

Baseline hip abduction was 42° at baseline and 43° at 5 years.

CONCLUSIONS:

This small difference was not clinically significant, but did demonstrate that it was possible to maintain hip abduction ROM in the spastic adductor muscles of children with cerebral palsy with a daily standing program during the children‘s first 5 years of development.