EFFECT OF HYPERBARIC OXYGEN ' . THERAPY ON CROUCH GAIT-

Abstract

Although the majority of children with spastic diplegia are eventually able to walk, the acquisition of this skill is delayed and differs qualitatively from normal pediatric gait so one of the most important objective of the rehabilitation of these cases is the improvement of mobility and locomotion.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in addition to a designed physical therapy program on modulation of crouch gait in spastic diplegic children.

Thirty spastic diplegic children from both sex (16 males, 14 females) ranging in age from four to eight years old and the degree of spasticity was determined according to the modified Ashworth scale to be within the range (1, 1+) participated in this study. They were selected from "Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Laboratory" in Nasser Institute Hospital (study group) and from "Pediatric Outpatient Clinic" of Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University (control group). Each group included fifteen children.

The control group received a specific designed physical therapy program (one hour every session, three times weekly for successive three months). While the study group received the same specific designed physical therapy program (one hour every session, three times weekly for three months) in addition to hyperbaric oxygen therapy (one hour every session, five days weekly for one month).