Reliability of energy cost calculations in children with cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis and healthy controls.

Aim: To study test-retest reliability of physiological cost index (PCI) and total cost index (TCI) in three groups of children. TCI modified PCI by excluding rest heart rate in calculation.

Methods: Energy cost was evaluated from two consecutive walking tests, and results were compared between methods, tests and groups.

Influence of dual tasks on sitting postural sway in children and adolescents with myelomeningocele.

Performing dual tasks, e.g. cognitive and motor tasks simultaneously, may be especially challenging to children with motor disorders.

Intrarater and interrater reliability of Myotonometer measurements of muscle tone in children.

The aim of this study was to investigate reliability of Myotonometer measurements, by assessing muscle tone in muscle rectus femoris in children with cerebral palsy and children without disabilities. Differences in muscle tone between groups and conditions, contracted or relaxed, were also investigated. A total of 15 children with cerebral palsy and 15 children without disabilities participated.

Control of reaching movements in children and young adults with myelomeningocele.

The aim of the present study was to analyze the ability to programme and execute reaching movements in individuals with myelomeningocele (MMC) and in a control group. Thirty-one participants (18 males, 13 females; mean age 12 years 11 months, SD 2 years 7 months, range 9 to 19 years) with MMC and 31 participants (matched for age and sex) without disabilities were investigated. Reaching was performed with and without visual feedback toward three targets displayed on a computer screen and data were collected using a digitizing tablet linked to a computer.

Force measurements of postural sway and rapid arm lift in seated children with and without MMC.

Objective: The aim was to investigate the horizontal ground reaction forces of seated postural sway and rapid arm lift in children with and without myelomeningocele. BACKGROUND; It is unclear whether children with myelomeningocele have limited control of body posture entirely caused by the impairment in the legs or also by other dysfunction.

Methods: 11 children with myelomeningocele, 10-13 years, and 20 children without physical impairment were investigated.