The aim of the current study was to assess the effectiveness of backward gait training on the treadmill in patients with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy (CP). Twelve patients with spastic diplegic CP participated in the study. An 8-week course of backward gait training was administered to the subjects for 3 days per week. Pre-intervention and post-intervention assessments of temporal-spatial gait parameters, the symmetry of the bilateral lower extremity weight bearing, and gross motor function were analyzed using motion analysis system, force plate, and Gross Motor Function Measurement (GMFM). There were significant improvements (p<.05) in the measures of both step length and right stance phase time. Joint kinematics showed increase in right hip abduction in initial contact and terminal swing, right hip external rotation and knee flexion in mid-swing, left ankle dorsiflexion in initial contact and terminal swing (p<.05). The symmetry of the bilateral lower extremity weight bearing and GMFM also significantly increased (p<.05). These findings indicate that backward gait training using a treadmill is beneficial for patients with spastic diplegic CP.

본 연구는 발가락 벌림 보조기(toe spreader)가 긴장성 발가락 굽힘 반사(Tonic Toe Flexion Reflex: TTFR)가 있는 양하지 뇌성마비 아동의 보행에 미치는 영향을 알아보고자 하였다. 12명의 TTFR이 있는 양하지 뇌성마비 아동을 대상으로 같은 날에 맨발과 발가락 벌림 보조기를 착용한 상태에서 보행분석을 실시하였다. 시간 거리 보행변수로 활보장(step length), 보장(step length), 보폭(step width)