BACKGROUND: The Nintendo®Wii-Fit offers an inexpensive, enjoyable, suitable alternative to more complex systems for children with cerebral palsy. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Nintendo®Wii-Fit training on balance and advanced motor performance of children with spastic hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy (CP). METHODS: Thirty children with spastic hemiplegic CP who were 7-14 years of age, had Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I and II, regularly participated in routine physiotherapy program twice a week. Children were randomly assigned to either the Nintendo®Wii-Fit training or the control groups. Nintendo®Wii-Fit training group were continued twice a week in addition to physiotherapy program. The Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM), Gross Motor Performance Measure (GMPM), the Timed up and go (TUG) test, Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS), Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) mean scores were recorded. RESULTS: Both groups had significant differences in the GMFM and GMPM scores, durations of single leg and tandem standing, and PBS (p<0.05). Nintendo®Wii-Fit training group also had more significant improvements in the mean duration of the TUG test and number of jumping than the control group (p<0.05). When the groups were compared, the GMFM, the GMPM and PEDI scores were similar following the program (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Nintendo®Wii-Fit training may effect on advanced motor skills and improve balance of children with spastic hemiplegic CP with physiotherapy.

AIM Taping is popular in a variety of paediatric clinical settings. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of taping on the rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy (CP).METHOD We used MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials as the electronic databases for the review. We reviewed all relevant studies published up to May 2015. We also analysed pertinent secondary references. We used Sackett's Levels of Evidence and the guidelines for critical review of McMaster University to criticize the reviewed articles.RESULTS Nine papers met the inclusion criteria. Five of these were randomized controlled trials, three were case series, and one was a single case study. Four papers were high quality according to the methodological critical forms of this review, and two of these found that taping was effective in increasing activity in children with CP.INTERPRETATION Although benefits of taping were found in the population, and functional gains according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health were obtained, the evidence was not conclusive. Randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes and with more specific taping procedures are required to strengthen the evidence for the effectiveness of taping on children with CP.Cerebral palsy (CP) is simply defined as a non-progressive lesion of the immature brain. Children with CP may present with a variety of motor impairments including altered muscle tone, loss of strength, and balance and coordination problems.1 Orthopaedic surgery, constraint-induced movement therapy, occupational therapy, and traditional therapy are some of the various treatments that are generally used in the course of CP treatment.2 In addition, studies have emphasized the possible benefits of several recent methods such as taping, which is frequently used in paediatric rehabilitation clinics. Taping is an increasingly popular adjunct to therapy because it is easy to apply and inexpensive, and it can be easily removed or changed according to therapy objectives. Investigators have stated the goals of taping in children with CP as being to correct postural misalignment, enhance the stability of joints, activate weak muscles, support weak structures, manage spasticity, and stimulate the sensory system. [3][4][5][6][7] Although there are more applications of taping in musculoskeletal practice, the evidence in the literature is inadequate.3,4 Some of the goals mentioned have been proved: for example, in the meta-analysis by Chang et al., 6 taping for patellofemoral pain syndrome moderately affected the activity of muscles and reduced pain.Athletic and Kinesio tapes are the two main types of tape that are in common use in clinics. Both can be used on patients with orthopedic, lymphatic, and neurological issues. Athletic tape is an example of a rigid/inelastic tape and limits the joints more than Kinesio tape, a type of flexible/elastic tape. Investigators have used them for similar aims such as managem...

No abstract

Aims: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder which affects whole systems of human body. This study aimed to compare the strength of foot muscles, dynamic balance, and peak plantar pressure between diabetic patients before developing polyneuropathy and healthy peers. Methods: 21 people, 11 diabetic patients and 10 age-matched healthy peers, were included in the study. A manual muscle tester (model 01163 Lafayette) was used to assess muscle strength. Pedobarography was the device to determine the distribution of plantar pressure into nine regions of foot. Dynamic balance was also measured by using a mobile platform (Techno-body, PK 200 WL, Italy). Results: Diabetic and control groups had similar muscle strength and dynamic balance (p > 0.05). Most of the plantar pressure findings were also similar (p > 0.05). There were significant differences in only two regions of foot between two groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Diabetes Mellitus is not a factor influencing balance and muscle strength before polyneuropathy. However, it is possible to state that it may negatively affect the distribution of plantar pressure so clinians should assess and treat this distribution in the patients with DM.

Background: Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common cause of physical disability in children and it causes many problems such as motor, sensory and cognitive impairment, and it leads to effect child's quality of life. There are many of questionnaire for evaluating quality of life but which is reliable, valid and sensitive to age groups children with CP in Turkish. Our study aims to investigate whether the Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument (PODCI), Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) and Child Health Questionnaire Parent Form (CHQ PF-50) scales are reliable, valid, and sensitive in children with Cerebral Palsy among different age groups and impairment levels.Methods: 105 children with CP, 48 healthy children and their mothers were participated in this study. They were divided into three groups according to their age; as 2-7 years, 8-12 years and 13-18 years. Statistical power analysis was conducted to acquire statistical power at a medium level (80%). Results:The internal consistency of scales was acceptable and their test-retest reliability was significant (for PODCI, α=0.93 and ICC=0.992, for PedsQL α=0.85 and ICC=0.955, for CHQ PF-50 α=0.92 and ICC=0.975). The findings of their validity indicated that they were significantly sensitive in discriminating healthy children and children with CP (p<0.001). However, the scales could only distinguish age and GMFCS groups in physical functioning domain (p<0.05). Conclusions:Within the concept of our study, the PODCI, PedsQL, and CHQ PF-50 scales were found reliable, valid, and sensitive in children wıth CP between ages 2-18. The sections regarding the physical functioning domains of these three scales presented sensitive results in accordance with the age and GMFCS levels of the children with CP.