TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2018//
TI  - The effect of visual environmental distraction on gait performance in children
JO  - Physical and occupational therapy in pediatrics
A1  - Bizama, F.
A1  - Medley, A.
A1  - Trudelle-Jackson, E.
A1  - Csiza, L.
SP  - 64
EP  - 73
VL  - 38
IS  - 1
N2  - PURPOSE: Identify the effect of visual distraction on gait parameters in children and describe the role of walking experience (WE) in the management of visual distraction. <br><br>METHODS: Forty-two typically developing children, mean age 43.2 months (SD = 22.9) participated and were divided into three groups according to WE: early walkers (6-11 months of WE), preschool walkers (12-37 months of WE), and experienced walkers (38-79 months of WE). Gait parameters measured under two conditions (no visual distraction and with visual distraction) included: velocity, step length, step width, and double limb support percentage (DLS%) of gait cycle. Multivariate analysis of variance assessed differences in gait between groups (effect of WE) and within groups (effect of condition). <br><br>RESULTS: Significant main effects of WE group F(8,74) = 5.300, p ≤.001 and visual distraction condition F(4,36) = 2.586, p = 0.053 were found. Visual environmental distraction significantly affected gait performance in children regardless of walking experience. Velocity decreased from 110.04 to 97.73 cm/sec (p = 0.003) while DLS% of gait cycle increased from 18.29% to 20.39% (p = 0.025). <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest physical therapists need to consider attentional requirements when assessing gait; even in children with more WE. If attention to task is a limiting factor for performance or learning of a motor task, it may need to be addressed directly as part of the treatment plan.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0194-2638
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01942638.2017.1297987
ID  - ref1
ER  -