Characterizing ambulatory function in children with PPP2R5D-related neurodevelopmental disorder.
Kyle Zreibe, Cara H Kanner, David Uher and 7 others
PMID 38547676WHAT IT FOUND
Children and adults with PPP2R5D-related disorder walk slower and with a wider base of support than peers.
They increase speed by lengthening steps rather than stepping faster, suggesting balance deficits limit how they adapt to walking demands.
Key findings
01Participants walked slower and with a wider base of support than typically developing peers, with stride velocity at 48.9–70.1% of norms.
02Base of support remained nearly twice the normative reference across all ages and did not narrow during fast walking or running, unlike typical development.
03Stride distance, not cadence, was the primary predictor of increased speed, with stride distance explaining 67.5% of velocity changes in fast walking.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
Small sample size (26 participants) with incomplete data for some conditions (e.g., only 16 valid fast pace walking assessments). Cross-sectional design prevents understanding of how gait changes as children mature. Testing order and time of day varied, potentially affecting endurance and fatigue results. Behavioral limitations led to invalid tests for some participants, introducing selection bias toward those who could cooperate.
Declared interests
The authors confirm that there are no related conflicts of interest to disclose.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that increasing walking speed is achieved by stepping faster. These patients increase speed primarily by lengthening their stride, which places higher demands on balance and stability. Therapies focused solely on cadence may not address the underlying compensatory mechanism.