EFFECTS OF BACKWARD WALKING TRAINING VERSUS FORWARD WALKING TRAINING PROGRAM TO IMPROVE BALANCE AND MOBILITY IN CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL PALSY

Abstract

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurological disorder affecting motor function, classified by severity using GMFCS. Interventions include forward walking training, backward walking training, using TUG Test, FW8 Test, Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS).

Aim of Study

 To determine the Effects of backward walking training versus forward walking training program to improve balance and mobility in children with cerebral palsy.

Methodology:

The study was a single-blinded, randomized control trial carried out on 14 children (6- 14 years) having spastic cerebral palsy . Patients were randomized in either group for forward walking training or backward walking training received 4 weeks of BWT and 4 weeks of FWT (the training order of  group B will be  BWT and FWT, opposite to group A), with a washout period of 2 weeks during the post-intervention phase of the 1st period and the pre-intervention phase for the 2nd period. Descriptive statistics and percentages were obtained from all patients, and parameters were compared using the SPSS statistical analysis software with p < 0.05 considered significant.

Results:

Fourteen patients with spastic cerebral palsy (5 males, 7 females; mean ± SD age: 9 ± 2.48 years; height = 124 ± 9.69 cm; weight = 25.33 ± 8.21 kg) were included in the study. Participants' GMFCS level was I (n = 8) or II (n = 6). TUG test scores decreased from 13.7 ± 2.00 and 14.8 ± 1.73 to 13.1 ± 2.34 and 12.5 ± 1.70 in the BWT groups, respectively. A significant difference was found between the pre-test and post-test scores between the two groups (p < 0.05). The decrease in the BWT group was greater than that in the FWT group, and there was a significant difference between the two groups (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between step number and step length (p > 0.05).

Conclusion:

To summarize, it is observed that both types of exercise improved overall movement abilities for kids with brain damage but found that backwards walking offers more advantages in making movements smoother and quicker. Integrating reverse gait technique