Deliberately Light Interpersonal Contact Affects the Control of Head Stability During Walking in Children and Adolescents With Cerebral Palsy

Abstract Objective To evaluate the potential of deliberately light interpersonal touch (IPT) for reducing excessive head and trunk sway during self-paced walking in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP). Design Quasi-experimental, proof-of-concept study with between-groups comparison. Setting Ambulant care facility, community center. Participants Children and adolescents (N=65), consisting of those with CP (spastic and ataxic, n=26; Gross Motor Function Classification System I–III; mean age, 9.8y; 11 girls, 15 boys) and those who were typically developed (TD, n=39; mean age, 10.0y; 23 girls, 16 boys). Interventions IPT applied by a therapist to locations at the back and the head. Main Outcome Measures As primary outcomes, head and trunk sway during self-paced walking were assessed by inertial measurement units. Secondary outcomes were average step length and gait speed. Results CP group: apex and occiput IPT reduced head velocity sway compared with thoracic IPT (both P =.04) irrespective of individuals' specific clinical symptoms. TD group: all testing conditions reduced head velocity sway compared with walking alone (all P ≤.03), as well as in apex and occiput IPT compared with paired walking (both P ≤.02). Conclusions Deliberately light IPT at the apex of the head alters control of head sway in children and adolescents with CP. The effect of IPT varies as a function of contact location and acts differently in TD individuals.