RESEARCH REPORT POSTER DISPLAY

APPLICABILITY OF USING FORMETRIC INSTRUMENT SYSTEM (FIS) TO ANALYZE POSTURE IN CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL PALSY. Abdelazeim F¹, Radwan H²; ¹Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt. ²Winston Salem State University, NC, US

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to establish the applicability of using FIS in postural analysis of children with cerebral palsy (CP). RELEVANCE: FIS is used to analyze back configurations and posture in adults with and without spinal problems. The FIS is relatively easy to use, the anatomical landmarks, vertebral position, and rotation are automatically detected and there is no need for manual placement of markers on the vertebrae. However, the FIS is not used by clinicians to evaluate children with CP. PARTICIPANTS: This study was conducted at Faculty of Physiotherapy, Cairo University. Twenty children with spastic diplegic CP were selected from the outpatient clinic according to preset criteria. The ages of the children recruited started developmentally from 10 months according to Denver developmental screening test. They measured from 1 to 1+ degree of spasticity according to Modified Ashworth scale. They had no significant perceptual disorders. They were able to stand alone with heels on the ground (at least five seconds) and Average height is nearly one meter METHODS: The history of every child was taken and a primary clinical assessment was done which included subject’s weight and height. Then each child was prepared to ensure exposure of the back, to avoid any disturbance of the image, and to achieve free standing posture as much as possible with both heels on the ground. The formetric software program was set to be ready prior to the actual testing to perform the scanning procedure as soon as the proper position if the chilled achieved to eliminate any movement artifact. The scanning procedure lasted for very short time (40 ms). The formetric instrument system was used to evaluate the spinal geometry in terms of trunk imbalance, pelvic tilt, pelvic torsion, surface rotation, and lateral deviation based on dimensional scanning. Full Back Shape three-dimensional analysis was done, recorded, and printed out for each patient. ANALYSIS: The data of trunk imbalance, pelvic tilt, pelvic torsion, surface rotation, and lateral deviation were collected, tabulated and analyzed using descriptive techniques. RESULTS: The data collected showed that using FIS to assess the posture of children with spastic diplegic CP can determine with accuracy the degree of postural deviation in this population. In this study the trunk imbalance, pelvic tilt, surface rotation, and lateral deviation were 9.13±3.46, 6.25±2.45, 6.45±2. 22, and 4.64±1.24 respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The FIS can be used to assess and effectively evaluate posture in children with CP. IMPLICATIONS: Clinicians will be able to accurately evaluate and develop an effective plan of care for children with CP when they use such system. KEYWORDS: Cerebral palsy, Formetric Instrument System, posture. FUNDING ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: N/A. CONTACT: faten.abdelazeim@gmail.com

ETHICS COMMITTEE: Cairo University Research Committee