Robotic Resistance Treadmill Training Improves Locomotor Function in Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study.
Ming Wu, Janis Kim, Deborah J Gaebler-Spira and 2 others
PMID 28576629WHAT IT FOUND
Children receiving resistance treadmill training had larger gains in fast walking speed and six-minute walking distance than children receiving assistance.
The study was small and assessors knew groups, so treat as preliminary.
Key findings
01In the resistance group, fast walking speed and six-minute walking distance improved significantly, but self-selected walking speed did not.
02In the assistance group, fast walking speed, self-selected walking speed, and six-minute walking distance did not improve significantly.
03Changes in walking speed and distance were significantly greater for the resistance group than the assistance group.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
Only 20 children completed the study, and the title describes it as a pilot, so the results are preliminary. The physical therapists who assessed walking outcomes were not blinded to group assignment, which could bias the results. The study compared resistance with assistance, not with conventional treadmill training, so it cannot show that robotic resistance is better than usual care. The amount of resistance or assistance was not shown to be optimal, and children differed in GMFCS level and body-weight support needs. The reliability of walkway data was reported as lower for some children with low function, which may affect speed and distance measures.
Declared interests
The supplied metadata lists NIH extramural support. The article text does not include a conflict-of-interest declaration.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that robotic resistance treadmill training is proven better than usual gait training for children with cerebral palsy. This was a small pilot, assessors were not blinded, and the study did not compare resistance training with conventional treadmill training.