Cerebral Palsy
Conditions
Keywords
treadmill training, gait, short burst interval locomotor training, spastic
Brief summary
Ambulatory children with cerebral palsy (CP) walk predominately in low intensity stride rates with little variability, thus limiting their walking activity and ability to participate in daily life. In contrast, typically developing (TD) children engage in short bursts of intense walking activity interspersed with varying intervals of low intensity walking within daily life. In order to optimize motor learning, active participation, task-specific training and multiple repetitions or massed practice is required to learn new motor skills. Short bursts of vigorous intensity locomotor treadmill training (SBLTT) alternating with low/moderate intensity was specifically designed to mimic activity patterns of TD children in a massed practice format. Pilot data suggests that SBLTT is feasible and enhances walking capacity and performance in daily life for children with CP. This project will examine the effect of SBLTT versus an equivalent dosage of traditional locomotor treadmill training (TLTT) on the primary outcomes of walking capacity and performance in children with CP and whether the effects of SBLTT on walking capacity and performance are mediated by improvements in in muscle power generation. The scientific premise is that SBLTT, that approximates the walking intensity patterns of typically developing (TD) children through a home-based massed practice protocol, will be more effective than TLTT in improving walking capacity and performance. We hypothesize that SBLTT strategies for children with CP modeled on walking patterns of TD children, will be positively mediated by muscle power generation and subsequently improve walking capacity and community walking performance and mobility. Specific aims. Aim #1. Determine the immediate and retention effects of short-burst interval LTT (SBLTT) on walking capacity in ambulatory children with CP. Aim #2. Examine the effects of treatment on community-based walking activity performance and mobility. Aim #3. Explore whether the effects of SBLTT on walking capacity and performance are mediated by muscle power generation. The proposed research will be the first step in a continuum of research that is expected to direct locomotor training protocols and rehab strategies across pediatric disabilities and positively effecting the community walking performance and mobility for children with CP.
Detailed description
In a randomized clinical trial, 72 ambulatory children with spastic CP (6-10 yrs.) will receive either SBLTT or an equivalent dosage of TLTT for 40 sessions, 5x/week for 8 weeks in a massed practice format. The only difference between training protocols will be the variable training (interval fast versus steady state walking speeds). Thus, the key ingredient will be the intensity of the interval training delivered in a serial blocked practice schedule. Outcomes will be collected at baseline, 4 and 8 weeks to assess dosage, and 24 weeks post training for long term retention with the primary endpoint at 8 weeks.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALShort Burst Interval Treadmill Training (SBLTT)
SBLTT will consist of short-bursts (30 seconds) of high speed walking alternating with 30 seconds of low/moderate speed walking. Total duration of walking per session will be up to 30 minutes of the 30 second alternating intervals (30sec high / 30sec low/moderate) with rests as needed. Both groups will receive 40 sessions delivered 5x/week for 8 weeks. Initial speeds for high speed walking will be 75-80% of each participant's over ground baseline fast walking speed, and low/moderate speed will be 75-80% of self-selected speed calculated from the 10-Meter Walk Test.
BEHAVIORALTraditional Locomotor Treadmill Training (TLTT)
TLTT group will receive the same number of sessions (40) delivered 5x/week for 8 weeks with a total duration of walking per session up to 30 minutes with rests as needed. TLTT will consist of walking at steady-state speeds. Initial treadmill speed will be 75-80% of over ground self-selected walking speed. The overall goal will be to achieve 30 minutes of walking at a steady-state walking speed within each session. Speed will be increased on the next session by .1 to .4mph when the subject can walk for 30 minutes on the treadmill at the current speed with an OMNI score of \< 6/10.
Sponsors
University of Washington
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans
Kristie Bjornson
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Intervention model description
Participants are randomized to either short-burst interval locomotor treadmill training (SBLTT) or traditional locomotor treadmill training (TLTT)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
6 Years to 10 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Bilateral and unilateral spastic cerebral palsy * Gross Motor Function Classification Levels II & III * Ages 6 years to \< 11 years
Exclusion criteria
* Orthopedic or neurosurgery \< 9 months prior * Injection therapy (Botulinum Toxin/Phenol) \< 3 months prior
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Walking Capacity-Self-selected walking speed | Baseline to 8 weeks | 10 Meter Walk Test |
| Walking Capacity-Fast walking speed | Baseline to 8 weeks | 10 Meter Walk Test- fast speed |
| Walking Capacity-Endurance | Baseline to 8 weeks | One Minute Walk Test |
| Walking Performance-level | Baseline to 8 weeks | StepWatch (SW) accelerometry - average total steps per day |
| Walking Performance-Intensity | Baseline to 8 weeks | StepWatch (SW) accelerometry - percent of strides/day in medium/high stride rates. |
| Knee extensor muscle power | Baseline to 8 weeks. | Isokinetic Average Power for Knee extensors at 60deg/s as measured by Biodex. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Walking Mobility -level home | Baseline to 8 weeks | StepWatch (SW) synchronized with Global Positioning System (GPS) home setting- average strides per day. |
| Walking Mobility -level community | Baseline to 8 weeks | StepWatch (SW) synchronized with Global Positioning System (GPS) community setting- average strides/day. |
| Walking Mobility-intensity home | Baseline to 8 weeks | StepWatch (SW) synchronized with Global Positioning System (GPS) home setting- percent average strides/day in medium/high stride rates. |
| Mobility-Patient Reported Outcome | Baseline to 8 weeks | Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS v1.0 Parent Pediatric Profile) Mobility domain score |
| Family Gait Priorities and Quality of gait | Baseline to 8 weeks | Parent report Gait Outcome Assessment List (GOAL).total score |
| Knee extensor muscle torque | Baseline to 8 weeks. | Isokinetic Peak Torque for knee extensors at 60 deg/s as measured by Biodex. |
| Walking Mobility-intensity community | Baseline to 8 weeks | StepWatch (SW) synchronized with Global Positioning System (GPS) community setting- percent average strides/day in medium/high stride rates. |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed