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영어

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Vojta Approach on trunk stability, gross motor function, and gait in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP). Subjects were randomly divided into two groups, 6 patients were experimental group who executed the Vojta Approach for 6 weeks (3 times/week) and 7 patients were control group who executed the neuro developmental treatment for 6 weeks (3 times/week). We checked the thicknesses of the external oblique (EO), the internal oblique (IO), the transversus abdominal (TrA), and the rectus abdominal muscles (RA), as well as the area of the diaphragm using ultrasonography. Gross motor function measure-88 (GMFM-88) was used to confirm motor function. Spatiotemporal gait parameters, foot pressure, and joint angle of lower extremity were measured during gait using GAITRite and Dartfish soft ware program. All data were analyzed using SPSS 21.0 for Windows. The results were as following. In the Vojta Approach treated group, there was a significant difference in the trunk stability (RA, EO, and diaphragm)(p<.05), but no significant difference was shown gross motor function (p>.05). Also, there was a significant difference in the gait parameters (step length, step width, functional ambulation profile, swing time, stance time, single support % of cycle)(p<.05). There was a significant difference in the hip, knee, and ankle joint (p<.05) in the Vojta Approach group. In addition, there was a significant difference in foot pressure (rare foot, fore foot)(p<.05). Our results suggest that Vojta approach can be an effective treatment for the improvement of trunk stability, gait in children with spastic CP.