We aimed to investigate whether infants with myelomeningocele would improve their motor ability and functional independence after ten sessions of physical therapy and compare the outcomes of conventional physical therapy (CPT) to a physical therapy program based on reflex stimulation (RPT). Twelve children were allocated to CPT (n = 6, age 18.3 months) or RPT (n = 6, age 18.2 months). The RPT involved proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation. Children were assessed with the Gross Motor Function Measure and the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory before and after treatment. Mann-Whitney tests compared the improvement on the two scales of CPT versus RPT and the Wilcoxon test compared CPT to RPT (before vs. after treatment). Possible correlations between the two scales were tested with Spearman correlation coefficients. Both groups showed improvement on self-care and mobility domains of both scales. There were no differences between the groups, before, or after intervention. The CPT and RPT showed similar results after ten weeks of treatment.

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The aim of this study was to evaluate if gait training on treadmill is effective to decrease the support time in paretic limb, investigating associations between this variable and the lower limb muscle strength degree, after treadmill training. For this, we invited eight children aged between six and 14 years old, diagnosed with hemiparetic cerebral palsy. Gait was recorded and transformed in frames, with which were obtained each limb phase of stance duration. Muscle strength was evaluated manually and graded by a specific scale. Then, children underwent gait training on a treadmill for 20 sessions, twice a week. At the end of sessions, walking and strength were revalued. In data analysis we used non-parametric analyses with Wilcoxon and Spearman linear correlation tests. Significant differences were found for stance time, in both limbs, after treadmill training. Correlation test showed significant inverse association, after training, between triceps surae and iliopsoas muscles strength and the stance time percentage of non-impaired limb. Gait training on a treadmill was effective, resulting muscle strength gains and stance duration reducing, thus improving ambulation quality.

The aim of this study was to evaluate if gait training on treadmill is effective to decrease the support time in paretic limb, investigating associations between this variable and the lower limb muscle strength degree, after treadmill training. For this, we invited eight children aged between six and 14 years old, diagnosed with hemiparetic cerebral palsy. Gait was recorded and transformed in frames, with which were obtained each limb phase of stance duration. Muscle strength was evaluated manually and graded by a specific scale. Then, children underwent gait training on a treadmill for 20 sessions, twice a week. At the end of sessions, walking and strength were revalued. In data analysis we used non-parametric analyses with Wilcoxon and Spearman linear correlation tests. Significant differences were found for stance time, in both limbs, after treadmill training. Correlation test showed significant inverse association, after training, between triceps surae and iliopsoas muscles strength and the stance time percentage of non-impaired limb. Gait training on a treadmill was effective, resulting muscle strength gains and stance duration reducing, thus improving ambulation quality.Key Words: Gait, Cerebral Palsy, muscle strength, hemiplegia.