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Alison M Aitchison

Publications and source records attributed to Alison M Aitchison.

2 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Test-Retest repeatability of gluteus maximus strength testing using a fixed digital dynamometer in children with cerebral palsy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the test-retest repeatability of the measurement of the gluteus maximus strength using a fixed digital dynamometer. DESIGN: Test-retest design. The strength of the gluteus maximus was measured in prone position during 2 sessions an average of 6 days apart. SETTING: Gait analysis laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Eleven children with spastic diplegic (n=10) and hemiplegic (n=1) cerebral palsy (CP), age 6 to 14 years, and 11 aged-matched children. All were able to walk independently, but 2 in the CP group used walking aids. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: On 2 occasions, gluteus maximus strength was measured 3 times in 2 positions of the hip joint. Repeatability of the measurements was assessed by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), coefficients of variation, and the coefficient of repeatability. RESULTS: When normalized to body mass, children with CP had significantly less gluteus maximus strength compared with the controls. The ICCs for the control group ranged from .76 to .85 and from .75 to .83 for the involved leg in the CP group. CONCLUSIONS: The reliability of measurement of gluteus maximus strength was good for both control group and the involved leg of the CP group. The normalized values for gluteus maximus strength and measures of reproducibility can be used when measuring gluteus maximus strength in children with CP.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of surgical lengthening of the hamstrings without a concomitant distal rectus femoris transfer in ambulant patients with cerebral palsy.

Eighteen ambulant patients (32 legs) who had undergone fractional lengthening of the medial and lateral hamstrings without rectus femoris transfer underwent pre- and postoperative gait analysis. A significant increase in the amount of knee extension and a decrease in the amount of peak knee flexion in swing were observed. This decrease in knee flexion signified a change towards more normal speed-related values. Dorsiflexion at initial contact decreased significantly for patients who did not undergo a gastrocnemius lengthening (n = 24). Absolute cadence was significantly lower after surgery, but the change in dimensionless cadence was not significantly different. This difference in the outcome between dimensionless and absolute stride parameters can be attributed to the increase in body height after surgery. The clinical significance of these findings is that it is important to recognize that postoperative effects of surgery on gait in children may, in part, be explained by changes in height and not surgery alone.

Adolescent↗