Publications by authors named "Priscilla Avaltroni"
Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a leading cause of childhood motor disability, making independent walking a crucial therapeutic goal. Robotic assistive devices offer potential to enhance mobility, promoting community engagement and quality of life. This is an observational report of 22 cases of children with CP in which we evaluated the Moonwalker exoskeleton (a dynamic moving aid system) usability, functional changes, and caregivers' perspectives based on the International Classification of Functioning (ICF).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- - Exoskeletons are increasingly used for helping children with neurological disorders improve their gait, but evaluating their effectiveness remains complex due to impacts on sensorimotor interactions and potential gait abnormalities.
- - This study explored how a specific exoskeleton affected muscle activity and spinal motor output in children during gait rehabilitation, focusing on the neuromechanics involved.
- - Results indicated that even at slower walking speeds, muscle activation levels during exoskeleton use were similar to normal walking, suggesting that children's locomotor systems actively engaged during exoskeleton-assisted stepping.
Article Synopsis
- - The location of motoneurons in the spinal cord is shaped by evolution and function to improve motor control and reflexive responses, particularly in relation to daily movements like walking.
- - This article reviews two decades of research on spinal motoneuron activation during locomotion, highlighting how factors like child development, aging, and neurological disorders affect spinal activity.
- - Understanding the relationship between motoneuron activity and gait mechanics can enhance neuroprosthetics and therapies for individuals with walking difficulties.
Article Synopsis
- - The study investigates how children with cerebral palsy (CP) adjust their locomotion when changing direction from forward to sideways, revealing insights into their mobility challenges compared to typically developing (TD) children.
- - Results show that only about two-thirds of CP participants could successfully step sideways, often defaulting to forward movements and exhibiting poor trunk rotation and limb coordination.
- - The findings suggest that sideways locomotion, along with backward movement, could be beneficial for rehabilitation, as it encourages children with CP to adapt to new movement tasks and improve their overall motor skills.