Effect of low dose robotic-gait training on walking capacity in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy.

Objective: Robotic gait training presents a promising training modality. Nevertheless, evidence supporting the efficacy of such therapy in children with cerebral palsy remains insufficient. This study aimed to assess the effect of robotic gait training in children/adolescents with cerebral palsy.

Transition in acquired brain injury youth (TrABI-Y): a systematic literature review protocol.

Introduction: Acquired brain injury (ABI) in paediatrics refers to children born with a neurological deficit, which will lead to a chronic neurological disorder. As advances in medical paediatric health progress, we are seeing these ABI youth transitioning into adult healthcare services while also going through different life events. Despite the growing number of young adult patients, access to transition programmes to facilitate the transition process is still limited and evidence on the effectiveness of these programmes is inconclusive.

Reliability of maximum isometric hip and knee torque measurements in children with cerebral palsy using a paediatric exoskeleton - Lokomat.

Background: The Lokomat (by L-Force tool) allows the measurement of the maximum voluntary isometric torque (MVIT) at the knee and hip joints in a standing position, as close as possible to the posture adopted during walking. However, the reliability of this measurement in children with cerebral palsy (CP) remains unknown. The main goal of this study was to evaluate inter and intra-tester reliability of a novel tool (L-Force) in CP population.

Long-term use of the JACO robotic arm: a case series.

Purpose: Past research with JACO has principally focused on the short-term impacts on new users. Therefore, this study aims to document the long-term impacts of this assistive device on users and their family caregivers following prolonged use.

Methods: Users' characteristics, caregivers' characteristics and expenses related to JACO were documented with questionnaires designed for this study.

Virtual community centre for power wheelchair training: Experience of children and clinicians.

Purpose: To: 1) characterize the overall experience in using the McGill immersive wheelchair - community centre (miWe-CC) simulator; and 2) investigate the experience of presence (i.e., sense of being in the virtual rather than in the real, physical environment) while driving a PW in the miWe-CC.

Sensorimotor adaptation of whole-body postural control.

The aim of the present study was to examine the modification of postural symmetry during quiet standing using a sensorimotor adaptation paradigm. A group of neurologically typical adult participants performed a visually guided mediolateral (left-right) weight shifting task requiring precise adjustments in body orientation. During one phase of the task, the visual feedback of center of pressure (COP) was systematically biased toward the left or the right, requiring an adjustment in posture to compensate.

Current Practice "Constraints" in the Uptake and Use of Intensive Upper Extremity Training: A Canadian Perspective.

Background: Intensive upper extremity training (IUET) has demonstrated efficacy in clinical and functioning outcomes in children with hemiplegia. However, implementation in the clinical context requires novel service models and knowledge translation.

Aims: To map implementation of IUET in Canada, to identify factors associated with the implementation and best practices for implementation.

Perceptions of a multidisciplinary team regarding a pediatric rehabilitation modified needs assessment.

Background: Efficient service delivery models that optimize processes and human resources are required in the current health care climate. A family-centered care approach is recognized as a model that can improve the effectiveness and efficiency of pediatric rehabilitation. The objective of this study was to explore the perceptions of a multidisciplinary health care team regarding the use of the Préparation au plan d'intervention (PAPI), a modified needs assessment tool designed to facilitate a family-centered care approach among children with cerebral motor deficits (CMD) and their families.

Measuring wheelchair confidence among power wheelchair users: an adaptation of the WheelCon-M using focus groups and a think aloud process.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to adapt the WheelCon-M, an outcome measure used to assess confidence with manual wheelchair use, into a version that is applicable for power wheelchair users (WheelCon-P).

Methods: Adaptation of the WheelCon-M into the WheelCon-P occurred in two phases: (1) item modification was conducted using focus groups and (2) item refinement was done using a think aloud process.

Results: The healthcare professionals (n = 12) were mostly female, mostly occupational therapists and practiced an average of 14 years.

Impact of muscle activation on ranges of motion during active elbow movement in children with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy.

Background: Children with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy are restricted in their daily activities due to limited active ranges of motion of their involved upper limb, specifically at the elbow. Their impaired muscles are frequently targeted by anti-spastic treatments that reduce muscle tone. But these treatments do not necessarily improve the limb function.

Impaired visually guided weight-shifting ability in children with cerebral palsy.

The ability to control voluntary weight shifting is crucial in many functional tasks. To our knowledge, weight shifting ability in response to a visual stimulus has never been evaluated in children with cerebral palsy (CP). The aim of the study was (1) to propose a new method to assess visually guided medio-lateral (M/L) weight shifting ability and (2) to compare weight-shifting ability in children with CP and typically developing (TD) children.

Muscle anatomy and dynamic muscle function in osteogenesis imperfecta type I.

Context: Results of previous studies suggested that children and adolescents with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) type I have a muscle force deficit. However, muscle function has only been assessed by static isometric force tests and not in more natural conditions such as dynamic force and power tests.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess lower extremity dynamic muscle function and muscle anatomy in OI type I.

Reliability and Validity of the Clinical Measurement of Trunk List in Children and Adolescents With Idiopathic Scoliosis.

Study Design: Reliability-validity study.

Objectives: The plumbline is commonly used to evaluate trunk list in a clinical setting. The purpose of this study was to evaluate reliability and validity of the plumbline to measure trunk list in persons with idiopathic scoliosis.

Estimation of the centre of mass for the study of postural control in Idiopathic Scoliosis patients: a comparison of two techniques.

The objective of the present study is to quantify the position of the Centre of Mass (COM) during quiet standing using a force plate and compare this technique to the quantification of the COM with an anthropometric model. The postural control of 18 healthy adolescents and 22 IS patients was evaluated using an Optotrak 3D kinematic system, and two AMTI force plates during quiet standing. The position of anatomical landmarks tracked by the Optotrak system served to estimate the position of the COM of both groups using an anthropometric model (COM(anth)).

Comparison of three methods to estimate the center of mass during balance assessment.

Evaluation of postural control is generally based on the interpretation of the center of pressure (COP) and the center of mass (COM) time series. The purpose of this study is to compare three methods to estimate the COM which are based on different biomechanical considerations. These methods are: (1) the kinematic method; (2) the zero-point-to-zero-point double integration technique (GLP) and (3) the COP low-pass filter method (LPF).