Pediatric cardio-autonomic response to variable effort after severe traumatic brain injury.

Aim: To assess heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) at rest, during exercise and during the recovery phase post-exercise in children at the chronic phase post-severe TBI as compared to age-matched typically-developed (TD) controls.

Setting: Out-patient clinic.

Participants: Ten children (two girls, eight boys), 3-5 years post-severe TBI, aged 7-11 years with residual deficits and 20 TD children matched for age.

The Influence of Intense Combined Training on Upper Extremity Function in Children With Unilateral Cerebral Palsy: Does Initial Ability Matter?

Aim: To examine whether level of manual ability modifies the response to an intensive program combining modified constraint and bimanual training on arm functioning children with unilateral cerebral palsy (UCP).

Methods: Thirty-four children aged 6-11 years, with Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) levels I-III (I:8, II:15, III:11), participated in a 2-week program, combining an hour of modified constraint with 5 hr of bimanual practice daily. The Assisting Hand Assessment (AHA) and the Jebsen-Taylor Test of Hand Function (JTTHF) were done pre-, post-, and 3-months post-intervention.

Effect of concurrent cognitive tasks on temporo-spatial parameters of gait among children with cerebral palsy and typically developed controls.

Objective: To assess the influence of different concurrent cognitive tasks on gait characteristics in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and typically developed (TD) controls.

Methods: Eleven children with CP and eleven TD controls walked under three conditions: at a self-selected speed, at a self-selected speed while memorizing and recalling a series of three random numbers, at a self-selected speed while listening and identifying commonly experienced sounds. Gait parameters were measured with the GAITRite(®) system.

The effect of variable gait modes on walking parameters among children post severe traumatic brain injury and typically developed controls.

Unlabelled: The goal of the present study was to assess the effect of various walking modes on dynamic gait characteristics and to evaluate the possible differences in the adaptation reactions between children post severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) and typically developed (TD) controls.

Methods: Thirteen children post severe TBI, mean of 3.5 years post trauma, independent walkers, with a walking velocity > 1.

The effect of combining daily restraint with bimanual intensive therapy in children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy: a self-control study.

Aim: To examine the influence of combining restraint therapy with bimanual intensive therapy on the unimanual and bimanual function among children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy (CP). Included were nine children (ages 6-9 yr), with Manual Ability Classification System scores of 2-3, Gross Motor Functional Classification System 1-2;

Intervention: 10 days, six hours per day including one hour of restraint followed by five hours of bimanual activities.

Evaluations: One month and immediately prior to the intervention (as the control period), immediately, two months and six months post-intervention.

Effect of concurrent cognitive tasks on gait features among children post-severe traumatic brain injury and typically-developed controls.

Aim: To investigate and compare the influence of concurrent cognitive tasks on gait characteristics in children post-traumatic brain injury (TBI) and typically-developed (TD) controls.

Methods: Fifteen children post-TBI (aged 9.5 ± 2.

Recreational physical activities among children with a history of severe traumatic brain injury.

Objective: To describe leisure time physical activity (LTPA) and physical capabilities such as balance, muscle strength and walking performance and to evaluate the associations between physical capabilities and LTPA among children post-traumatic brain injury (TBI) as compared to a peer group of typically-developed (TD) controls.

Participants: Convenience sample of 15 children, 1.5-7 years post-severe TBI and 15 age- and sex-matched controls.

The immediate effect of treadmill walking on step variability in boys with a history of severe traumatic brain injury and typically-developed controls.

Objective: To examine the immediate effect of treadmill walking (i.e. enforced walking at a fixed gait velocity) on gait variability among children post-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) and typically-developing (TD) age-matched controls.

Heart rate and heart rate variability at rest and during exercise in boys who suffered a severe traumatic brain injury and typically-developed controls.

Objectives: To measure heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) at rest and during exercise in children with post-severe traumatic brain injury as compared to age-matched typically-developed controls.

Design: Comparative study.

Setting: Out-patient rehabilitation department.

The effects of a 'home-based' task-oriented exercise programme on motor and balance performance in children with spastic cerebral palsy and severe traumatic brain injury.

Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility and the ability to recruit and retain children with severe traumatic brain injury or cerebral palsy, and their families, to a simple home-based exercise programme and to assess the immediate and short-term effects of such intervention on reducing impairment and improving function.

Study Design: Randomized clinical trial.

Participants: Twenty children aged 7-13 years, with traumatic brain injury (N = 10) or cerebral palsy (N = 10) who were independent ambulators.

Balance abilities and gait characteristics in post-traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy and typically developed children.

Objectives: To quantify the differences in gait variability and balance performance between children with cerebral palsy (CP), children with post-traumatic brain injury (TBI) and typically developed (TD) children and to determine the association between gait variability and functional balance in these groups.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Physical therapy department of a paediatric and adolescent rehabilitation hospital.

Functional balance tests for children with traumatic brain injury: within-session reliability.

Purpose: To assess the within-session reliability of the Modified Functional Reach Test (MFRT) and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test in children with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and children with typical development (TD).

Methods: A convenience sample of 24 children with TBI and 24 children with TD matched for age and sex were tested. Following 1 practice trial, 3 trials of the MFRT and TUG were completed and recorded for each child.

The relationship between step variability, muscle strength and functional walking performance in children with post-traumatic brain injury.

The objective of this study was to investigate the association between step variability, muscle strength and functional walking performance in children post-traumatic brain injury (TBI) and typically developed (TD) children. A convenience sample of 16 children post-TBI and 16 TD age and sex matched controls participated in this cross sectional study. The main outcome measures included step length and step time variability, measured with an electronic walkway, strength of four lower-extremity muscle groups, tested bilaterally with a hand held dynamometer, walking performance as assessed by the 2-min walk test, energy expenditure index (EEI) and rating of perceived exertion (OMNI scale).

Relationship between balance abilities and gait characteristics in children with post-traumatic brain injury.

Objectives: To quantify the differences in gait variability and balance performance between typically developed (TD) children and children with post-traumatic brain injury (TBI) and to determine the association between gait variability and functional balance in both groups.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Physical therapy department of a paediatric and adolescent rehabilitation hospital.