Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation of hip adductors improves gait parameters of children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy.

Background: Reduction of spasticity in hip adductor muscles is one of the essential factors to improve standing, gait, and personal hygiene of children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy (CP). Surgical and medical methods have been commonly used for such purposes. These methods are expensive, required special skill and have side effects.

Objective: To study the effect of conventional TENS on spasticity in hip adductors and gait parameters of children with spastic diplegic CP.

Methods: An experimental group of twenty seven ambulant children with spastic diplegic CP and control group of fifteen healthy children were voluntary participants in the study. Methods: The experimental group received two different TENS management programs. The 1st TENS program was a one-time trial management program that included an ongoing application of conventional TENS on bilateral hip adductors during passive hip abduction, and during walking for a pre-determined distance. The 2nd TENS program was a one-week trial management program that included 15 minutes of ongoing application of conventional TENS on bilateral hip adductors during walking, three sessions a day for a week. The effects of the TENS program was assessed using the Modified Ashworth Scale, the balance master system and visual observations of knee positions.

Results: A significant improvement was recorded in spasticity of hip adductors, gait parameters and knees position of the experimental group.

Conclusions: Functional application of TENS to hip adductors of children with spastic diplegic CP can reduce spasticity and improve gait pattern.