Files and links (1)
Selby-Silverstein_Lisa_19938.15 MB
PDF Restricted Access, VIEWABLE UPON REQUEST: contact archives@drexel.edu
Dissertation
The effect of neutral position foot orthoses on gait of children with Down syndrome
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Hahnemann University
May 1993
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00008893
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine if neutral position foot orthoses (NPFOs) immediately improved gait of children with Down Syndrome (DS) and excessively pronated feet. The subjects were 16 children with DS and 10 children without disabilities who were three to six years old. Using 3 dimensional motion analysis, a 3 dimensional force plate, a pressure plate and a tachometer, gait of children with DS wearing sneakers was compared to their gait wearing sneakers and NPFOs, and to gait of children without disabilities. Statistical analyses included two-way Analyses of Covariance, and Mann Whitney U tests and Wilcoxon Matched-Pairs tests of coefficients of variation. When the children wore NPFOs, foot angle was the only dependent variable that was significantly different; the feet became more medially rotated (p <.001). Descriptively, however, when NPFOs were worn, center of pressure moved 11% laterally under the feet reflecting increased supination. In addition, velocity during stance decreased 6%. Normalized peak ankle torque, phase peak ankle torque, and normalized sneaker print length were not significantly affected by NPFOs. Significant interaction effects indicated that individual children responded differently to NPFOs. In addition, foot angle, center of pressure, print length and stance velocity exhibited significantly less trial-to-trial variability (p <.001), and both ankle torque variables showed significantly more trial-to-trial variability (p <.001) when the children with DS wore NPFOs. Gait of children with DS differed significantly from gait of children without disabilities for 4 of the 6 variables tested and a fifth variable showed descriptive differences. Trial-to-trial variability data reflected differences in foot angle and phase peak ankle torque between the two groups of children. Some of the changes observed caused gait of children with DS to be more similar to and some caused gait to be less similar to gait of children without disabilities. The finding that individual children responded differently to NPFOs suggests that responses cannot be predicted and that gait assessment is needed to determine the effects of NPFOs in any particular child with DS. Additional research, including investigation of other variables and long-term study, is needed to determine the efficacy of NPFOs for children with DS.
Metrics
14 Record Views
Details
- Title
- The effect of neutral position foot orthoses on gait of children with Down syndrome
- Creators
- Lisa Selby-Silverstein
- Contributors
- Robert J. Palisano (Advisor) - Drexel University, Hahnemann University (1982-1993)
- Awarding Institution
- Hahnemann University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Hahnemann University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- ix, 232 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Hahnemann University (1982-1993); School of Health Sciences and Humanities (1988-1993); Physical Therapy/Therapist Assistant [Historical]
- Other Identifier
- 991021888771304721