Efficiency of Locomotor Therapy Using the Reduced Gravity Krisaf Device in Children with Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of non-progressive diseases that occur during pregnancy, intranatal, and postnatal periods and are manifested by varying degrees of nervous system disorders. The frequency of CP incidence, according to various authors, ranges from 1.4 to 4 per 1000 normal births. Patients with CP require constant, long-term treatment and rehabilitation. Patients and methods: This study was conducted to determine the efficiency of a new method of locomotor therapy using the reduced gravity Krisaf device. The study group included 11 children of GMFCS I-III, the average age was 10.81 ± 3.54 years (6-16 years), (4 males, 7 females). The average number of procedures per course was 8.71 ± 1.25 (7-10). The average duration of the procedure was 36.11 ± 6.97 (20-40) minutes. The assessment was conducted before and after the course of therapy using the Krisaf device. Spasticity was assessed using the Modified Tardieu Scale (MTS). The Edinburgh Visual Gait Score (EVGS) was used to assess gait. The Physiological Cost Index (PCI) and the ability to maintain balance on one leg (One-leg standing balance test (OLST)) were also assessed. Results: Krisaf therapy is efficient while treating motor function and affects gait according to the EVGS (p = 0.02154, p < 0.05) and changes in energy efficiency according to PCI (p = 0.0293, p < 0.05) and has not significantly affected spasticity measured by the MTS in this study. On the right p = 0.5896, on the left p = 0.1056. The results of maintaining balance according to the OLST were ambiguous. On the right leg, the time changed reliably (p = 0.01403), and on the left leg, the time changed insignificantly (p = 0.4098). Conclusion: The obtained results showed the influence of therapy using the Krisaf device on changing the gait and energy efficiency of movement.