The effects of foot-ankle characteristics and quadriceps muscle strenght on balance and function in children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of foot-ankle characteristics and quadriceps muscle strength on balance and function in children with Hemiparetic CP. Including 15 healthy children with avarage age of 12.33 years and 15 children with avarage age of 13.33 and hemiparetic CP were included in the study. Foot postures of all children were evaluated with foot posture index, navicular drop test and navicular height measurement. Balance and functional performances were measured with pediatric reach test, pediatric balance scale and timed performance tests. Quadriceps muscle strength was evaluated by manual muscle strength test. Relationships between balance and functional tests were examined using data on foot posture and quadriceps muscle strength. The completion time of functional activities was found to be higher in children with hemiparetic CP compared to healthy children (p<0.05). Foot posture was found to be effective on balance and functional activity performance. As a result of the study, it was emphasized that the valuation of foot-ankle and quadriceps muscle strength would contribute to increasing the balance and functional activities of children with hemiparetic CP while planning physiotherapy and rehabilitation programs