Augmented feedback as a therapeutic approach for gait rehabilitation in patients with cerebral palsy: a systematic review.

Most included studies were single-session or had very short follow-up periods, so it is unclear if improvements last beyond the clinic. The participants were mostly those with mild to moderate motor impairment (GMFCS I and II), so the results do not tell us if this works for patients who cannot walk independently. Many studies used typically developing children as controls, which creates an unrealistic benchmark for improvement. About half the studies used treadmills, which changes gait mechanics compared to overground walking, so results may not transfer directly to real-world walking. The review excluded robotic and exoskeleton-based feedback, so it does not compare these common tools to sensory feedback alone.

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Do not assume augmented feedback works for all people with cerebral palsy. The evidence is strongest for walking speed and ankle function in those with mild spasticity who can already walk. Results for other gait parameters were inconsistent, and there is no data on long-term retention of these improvements.