Journal
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
Volume 12, Issue 1, Pages -Publisher
MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/app12010323
Keywords
pediatric; gait; rehabilitation; anti-gravity; treadmill
Categories
Funding
- Fonds de recherche du Quebec-Sante (FRQS)
- Centre interdisciplinaire de recherche en readaptation et integration sociale (Cirris)
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This scoping review examined the use of anti-gravity treadmills and their effects on lower-limb motor functions in children and adolescents with locomotor impairments. The included studies reported improvements in muscle strength, balance, gait parameters, and walking endurance. A more precise and comprehensive description of anti-gravity training protocols is needed.
The purpose of this scoping review was to examine the literature on the use of anti-gravity treadmills and its effects on lower-limb motor functions in children and adolescents with locomotor impairments. Method: Four databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, Web of Science) were searched for articles from inception to August 2021. Inclusion criteria were: (1) experimental or quasi-experimental studies using anti-gravity training as the primary intervention; (2) studies conducted in pediatric participants; (3) articles reporting outcomes related to lower-limb functions; and (4) studies published in French or English. Results: Fifteen articles were included in the review. Studies included children and adolescents aged 4-18 years with locomotor impairments. Intervention duration ranged from 2 to 12 weeks, with 2-5 sessions per week. Included studies reported that anti-gravity training induces improvements in muscle strength, balance, spatiotemporal gait parameters, and walking endurance in children with locomotor impairments. Conclusion: This review provides relevant information about interventions, outcomes and limits associated with anti-gravity training in pediatrics. Overall, anti-gravity treadmill training could be viewed as a valuable training modality, specifically for children with cerebral palsy. However, a more precise and comprehensive description of anti-gravity training protocols would be useful.
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