Objective: To evaluate the effect of simultaneous proprioceptive - visual training on gait parameters in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy.
Method: Gait parameters of 30 spastic diplegic children (age range 4-6 years) were evaluated before and after treatment by Tekscan's Walkway Pressure system. They were randomly and equally assigned into two groups (study and control). All children received regular therapeutic exercise program for one hour. In control group walked for 30 minutes without feedback, while those in study group walked for 30 minutes with proprioceptive-visual feedback. Duration of treatment was 3 times/week for 8 successive weeks.
Results: There were significant differences after treatment in spatial parameters and temporal parameters of both groups with more improvement in study group than control one, and insignificant difference in kinetic gait parameters.
Conclusion: The simultaneous proprioceptive - visual training might improve spatial and temporal gait parameters with no effect on kinetic gait parameters of children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy.
Keywords: Gait; Proprioceptive Stimulation; Spastic Diplegia; Tekscan Walkway; Visual Feedback.