Influence of Visual Information on Motor Errors in the Step Length Test for Adults with Spastic Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

[Purpose] To confirm the reproducibility of results of the Step Length Test, which had been devised to identify motor errors, and to clarify the influence of visual information on lower limb movements in cerebral palsy using this test. [Participants and Methods] The test was conducted for 11 adults with cerebral palsy (8 males and 3 females aged 44.2 ± 12.2) and 19 healthy adults (10 males and 9 females aged 20.5 ± 1.0). Errors were measured, dividing actual, 1.2-fold, and 0.8-fold distances into 2 categories: with and without visual information. The reproducibility of test results was examined by calculating the intra-class correlation coefficient, standard error, and minimal detectable change. [Results] The intra-class correlation coefficient representing the reproducibility was as high as ≥0.7. There were significant differences in motor errors between the cerebral palsy and healthy groups. [Conclusion] Compared with healthy adults, those with cerebral palsy may have impaired body images related to forward leg swing movements.