Body Weight Support Treadmill Training for Children with Developmental Delay Who Are Ambulatory

Purpose: To examine the effect of body weight-supported treadmill training (BWSTT) on gait and gross motor skill development in children (2-5 years old) with developmental delay who are ambulatory. Methods: Twenty-four subjects (12 control and 12 BWSTT) were enrolled in this randomized control trial. All subjects continued to receive physical therapy. Subjects were tested at baseline, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, and at 6 weeks after completion of BWSTT. Outcomes were assessed using the 10-m walk test and Gross Motor Function Measure-D and E. Results: Significant improvements were seen in gait velocity and gross motor skill attainment. With positive interactions in both the 10-m walk test and Gross Motor Function Measure-E, the BWSTT group as compared with the control group demonstrated functional gains in gait velocity and gross motor skills, P =.033 and.017, respectively. Conclusions: A 6-week high-intensity BWSTT program can improve gait velocity and influence functional gains.