Effect of additional load on angular parameters during gait and balance in children with hemiparesis – Cross sectional study

Abstract Study aim: To study the effect of additional load over ankle and knee joints on angular parameters during gait and balance in children with hemiparesis. Material and methods: 10 children with hemiparesis were recruited and stratified into 2 chronological age groups: group A (4–8 years) and group B (9–12 years). Additional loads of 0.7 kg and 1.1 kg were placed on the affected and non-affected lower limb at the ankle and knee joint for group A and group B respectively. Angular parameters during gait were assessed using Kinovea software (version 0.8.15) and balance using the Pediatric Balance Scale. Results: Application of additional load of 0.7 kg over the non-affected leg knee joint is able to produce significant changes in ankle joint angles (p < 0.05) at initial contact and knee joint angles at heel-off (p < 0.05), toe-off (p < 0.001), acceleration (p < 0.05) and deceleration (p < 0.05) phases of gait and balance in group A, whereas on application of additional load of 1.1 kg over the affected leg at the ankle joint significant improvement in knee joint angles at initial contact (p < 0.001) and the deceleration (p < 0.05) phase of gait in group B was observed. There was significant improvement in the Pediatric Balance Scale score in both groups (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Additional load over knee and ankle joints of the affected and non-affected leg showed more improvement in angular parameters during gait and balance in younger children with hemiparesis than older children, as they present an immature form of gait that can be modified, corrected and brought back to a normal angle.