Historically, treatment for CP focused on addressing spasticity and hypertonia through surgical, medicinal, and therapeutic approaches.However, following the introduction of selective dorsal rhizotomy (a neurosurgical treatment which aims to reduce spasticity by surgically severing input from sensory fibers), the underlying muscle weakness of CP became further evident and began to receive increased attention as a significant factor contributing to gait impairments in CP(Damiano & Abel, 1998).Muscle weakness in the ankle is of particular interest in relation to gait; research suggests that the dorsiflexors and plantarflexors of children with CP are approximately 50% and 35% weaker than those of healthy individuals(Engsberg, Ross, & Collins, 2006).Although physical therapy approaches previously avoided muscle strengthening due to a belief that it would cause increased spasticity and tightness, recent studies have shown a positive correlation between muscle strength and motor function(Bobath, 1969).For example, Engsberg and colleagues demonstrated that increasing ankle strength led to improved motor function, gait kinematics, and quality of life in children with CP(Engsberg, Ross, & Collins, 2006).While an increasing body of evidence supports the benefits of muscle strengthening in children with CP, the need for an effective, engaging, portable and affordable strength training device remains unmet.
Works Cited Bobath, B. (1969). The treatment of neuromuscular disorders by improving patterns of co-ordination. Physiotherapy.
Damiano, D., & Abel, M. (1998). Functional Outcomes of Strength Training in Spastic Cerebral Palsy. Arch Phys Med REhabil, 119-125.
Engsberg, J., Ross, S., & Collins, D. (2006). Increasing Ankle Strength to Improve Gait and Function in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Pilot Study. Pediatric Physical Therapy, 266-275.