To Study the Efficacy of Electromyographic Biofeedback Training on Dynamic Equinus Deformity and Gait in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy (CP) is caused by static lesion to a developing nervous system that primarily affects motor function. Spastic motor involvement is characteristic of most of these individual.Dynamic equinus is a common deformity that worsens the ambulatory ability of both diplegic and hemiplegic conditions. The use of electromyographic (EMG) biofeedback has been suggested as a training tool to improve the ability to increase activation of weak and partially paralyzed muscles and to decrease the activation of muscles affected by spasm or spasticity without regard to specific diagnosis. However, very few studies have reported the effects of EMG biofeedback on ankle function among children with spastic cerebral palsy .Objectives of the study was to increase the activation of tibialis anterior and to improve the functional ambulation.40 subjects were made part of the study on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria divided into two groups group A and B.Group A received traditional physical therapy exercises and electromypgraphic biofeedback and group B received only exercise program. The treatment duration was for 4weeks 3 sessions a week. The results were analysed using statistical tests that were paired and unpaired t-test and mann whitney test.The results showed significant improvement in the pre and post treatment. The conclusion of the study lended a favourable outlook to use biofeedback training in treatment of CP children, to improve functional ambulation and gait. Introduction Cerebral palsy (CP) is caused by static lesion to a developing nervous system that primarily affects motor function. Spastic motor involvement is characteristic of most of these individual. (1). The term "cerebral palsy" also known as "static encephalopathy’ refers to the symptom complex produced by a non-progressive central nervous system (CNS) lesion occurring during gestation or at birth, and resulting in some motor deficit. Cerebral palsy affects approximately 0.1 -0.20/o of all children, however, there is no familial or genetic inheritance pattern. (2) The most common spastic deformity in cerebral palsy is equinus, which involves contracture of the gastrocnemius or the gastrocnemius-soleus muscle tendon complex (triceps surae). It may be combined with an equinovalgus deformity of the foot when there is associated pronation due to spastic peroneal muscles, or equinovarus deformity when associated with over-activity or spasm of the tibialis posterior muscle. (3). Lower limb involvement is most apparent at the ankle joint. Dynamic equinus is a common deformity that worsens the ambulatory ability of both diplegic and hemiplegic conditions. IJOART International Journal of Advancements in Research & Technology, Volume 3, Issue 1, January-2014 117 ISSN 2278-7763 Copyright © 2014 SciResPub. IJOART The plantar flexors often co-activate with, and overpower tibialis anterior during swing, producing initial ground contact with the toe, rather than the heel. (1).The disability associated with cerebral palsy may be limited primarily to one limb or one side of the body, or it may affect the whole body. When young children with spasticity are learning to walk, their muscles become tight and their legs are unable to move into the right position at the right time. the spastic tone in the calf muscles that causes the foot to point down.There are various interventions for treating CP patients like physiotherapy plays a vital role such as: management of abnormal muscle tone, exercises to maintain joint range of movement, stretching programme for tight muscles, exercises to strengthen weak muscles, positioning advice to improve posture and alignment, development of gross motor skills. The other health professionals such as occupational therapists and speech and language therapists also are a part of team in treating CP patients. There are a wide variety of therapeutic interventions in use to improve ankle function in this population, including active and passive exercise, bracing, and participation in whole-body activities designed to improve overall ability to control and coordinate movement, electromyographic (EMG) feedback and electric stimulation also benefits children suffering from CP (1). EMGbiofeedback is the process in which the muscle activity of a person is recorded through electronic devices while also allowing the patient to see or hear this activity. Biofeedback training has an essential role in increasing the maximum torque, produced by the calf muscle (5). Aims and objectives of the study Statement of the study To study the efficacy of electromyographic biofeedback training on dynamic equinus deformity and gait in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Aim of the study To evaluate the efficacy of electromyographic biofeedback training on dynamic equinus deformity and gait in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Objectives of the study To increase the activation of tibialis anterior. To improve the functional ambulation. Hypothesis Null HypothesisThere is no statistical significant effect of electromyographic biofeedback training on dynamic equinus deformity and gait in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Alterative HypothesisThere is a statistical significant effect of electromyographic biofeedback training on dynamic equinus deformity and gait in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Review of Literature Colborne (1994) Children with spastic hemiplegia secondary to cerebral palsy show disrupted patterns of work and power in gait. A computer-assisted feedback system was used to deliver EMG feedback from the triceps surae muscle group to walking subjects in conjunction with amplitude and timing targets for muscle relaxation and activation. IJOART International Journal of Advancements in Research & Technology, Volume 3, Issue 1, January-2014 118 ISSN 2278-7763 Copyright © 2014 SciResPub. IJOART Biofeedback of triceps surae muscle activity during gait was compared with physical therapy (PT) in a two-period crossover design, with intervening biomechanical gait analyses to assess the effects of each type of treatment. It is concluded that the feedback protocol might be an effective adjunct to physical therapy in hemiplegic children. Dursun (2004) concluded that Children with cerebral palsy and dynamic equinus deformities may benefit from biofeedback treatment for ambulation. Thirty-six children with spastic cerebral palsy and dynamic equinus deformity were included in the study. The biofeedback group consisted of 21 children who each received EMG biofeedback training plus conventional exercise programme. The control group consisted of 15 children who each received conventional exercise programme only. Active range of motion of the ankle joints, muscle tone of plantar flexors, and gait function of the children were evaluated and compared. The biofeedback group displayed statistically significant improvements regarding tonus of plantar flexor muscles and active ROM of ankle joints (p < 0.000 for all parameters). Gait function showed statistically significant progress in both of the groups, but the biofeedback group was superior to controls. Maenpaa (2005) concluded that Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) appears to produce sensory feedback from limbs by activating the spinal and supraspinal tracts and cortical body schema areas which are needed to produce voluntary movement. The ability to move the limbs in turn increases the activity of the children during the therapy sessions. MENS therapy as an add-on treatment produced at least temporary relief of myocontracture of the Achilles tendon in children with CP. The gained increase in ROM can postpone the surgical elongation of the Achilles tendon for years. The definite place of ES therapy in children with CP can be judged only after controlled trials. Methodology Study designThe study was conducted as the experimental study to evaluate the efficacy of electromyograhic biofeedback training on dynamic equinus deformity and gait in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Research settingNeurological physiotherapy research laboratory and out patient department of Gian Sagar College of physiotherapy, Ramnagar, Banur, Distt. Patiala. Study durationSix months. PopulationSpastic cerebral palsy patients from In and Out Patient Department of Paediatrics and Out Patient Department of Physiotherapy Gian Sagar Medical College and Hospital and Out Patient Department of Gian Sagar College of Physiotherapy, Ramnagar, Banur, Distt. Patiala. Ethical approval and informed consent:This study was approved by ethical committee of Gian Sagar Medical College and Hospital. And informed consent was taken from all the subjects before the initiation of the treatment. All the subjects were duly informed about the treatment protocols, time and duration of the treatment, risk factors and the precautions. Sampling methodRandom sampling method (on the basis of odd and even no. of grouping). Sampling size– Forty subjects (two groups were divided on the basis of random sampling groupA (experimental group) and another groupB (control group). Sampling criteria IJOART International Journal of Advancements in Research & Technology, Volume 3, Issue 1, January-2014 119 ISSN 2278-7763 Copyright © 2014 SciResPub. IJOART Inclusion criteria Age between 04-14 years Diagnosed as diplegic or hemiplegic cerebral palsy with equinus deformity Toe walking gait pattern Able to walk independently with or without a walking aid Normal visual and hearing capability Exclusion criteria Static deformity in lower limb (unilateral or bilateral) Non-cooperative patients Underwent any surgery of ankle joint Procedure After the approval from the institutional ethical committee of Gian Sagar Medical College and Hospital the procedure was started. After taking consent on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria subjects were assessed by electromyography and functional ambulation with functional ambulatory scale. Each patient was allowed to walk across the treatment room, during which the subject was observed and the mean value was considered as the actual score of functional ambulation. Subjects belonging to the experimental group (A) were subjected to a traditional physical therapy program including: Stretching exercises for Achilles tendon and hamstring muscles passively. Proprioceptive training in the form of slow rhythmic approximation, touch and weight bearingpassive stretch and movement. Facilitation of postural reaction (righting, equilibrium, and protection). Gait training programbetween parallel bars, using walkers, and climbing stairs ten repetitions, in addition to electromyographic biofeedback for dorsiflexors of the affected limb. The subject were made sit upright (semi forward position) with feet flat against the floor. The recording electrode was placed and fixed on the belly of tibialis anterior muscle with the reference electrode five cm apart and distal to the active one and on the same line, the ground electrode was placed and fixed on the lateral malleolus of the affected side. The subject was instructed to watch the monitor for electromyographic biofeedback and the subject was given three active dorsiflexion training trials, each consisting of a single, continuous thirty seconds contraction of the tibialis anterior muscle with one minute rest between trails (8). After a verbal command the subjects were asked to perform his/her maximal tibialis anterior contraction, the subject were encouraged to do his best on all trails. Each trail was repeated for 10 successive times per session. All patients of the experimental group IJOART International Journal of Advancements in Research & Technology, Volume 3, Issue 1, January-2014 120 ISSN 2278-7763 Copyright © 2014 SciResPub. IJOART were informed that feedback signals provide precise information concerning the course of the muscle contraction. Each session lasted for 30 minutes. (8). Subjects belonging to the control group (B) received previously mentioned traditional physical therapy program only. Treatment for both groups was continued for four weeks, three sessions per week. The recordings of electromyographic biofeedback were recorded before the treatment started and after ten sessions of recordings of electromyography and functional ambulation were again recorded to observe the results. (9).