Abstract
To analyze data from a prospective cohort study, a group-based treadmill program, administered twice weekly for 14 weeks, in regard to gross motor skills related to walking and walking attainment in young children with neuromotor delay who are pre-ambulatory.
Seventy children (F = 29), mean age 25.6 (SD 10.1) months participated in the program 2×/week for 14 weeks. The Gross Motor Function Measure-88 Dimensions D and E (GMFM D/E), Functional Mobility Scale for 5, 50, and 500 meters (FMS 5, 50, 500), the timed 10-m walk test (10MWT), and the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory Caregiver Mobility Scale (PEDI) were administered before and after the program.
Statistically significant improvements were found in the GMFM D, GMFM E, FMS 5, 50, 500 and PEDI, but not in 10MWT.
A group-based treadmill program was associated with improvements in motor skills related to walking in young children when administered in adjunct to ongoing physical therapy.