NCT05899803

Use of Walkers in Infancy and Musculoskeletal System

The Effect of the Use of a Walker in Infancy on the Musculoskeletal System and the Level of Physical Activity

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 39 (actual)
• Sponsor: Ozden Gokcek · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 8 Years – 15 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The aim of this study was to compare lower extremity muscle strength, posture disorders and physical activity levels of children with and without walker use during infancy. Thirty-nine children aged between 8 and 15 years were included. Demographic data, New York Posture Analysis Questionnaire and Physical Activity Assessment Questionnaire Scale (PAQ-C) were collected. Muscle strength was measured with a digital muscle strength meter.

Detailed description

This study aimed to compare lower extremity muscle strength, postural disorders, and physical activity levels of children who used and did not use a walker during infancy. The study included 39 children aged between 8 and 15 years. The demographic information of the children, their motor development stages and walker use situations, the age at which they started using it, and the duration of use were questioned. The New York Posture Analysis Questionnaire and Physical Activity Assessment Questionnaire Scale (PAQ-C) were administered to the children. Muscle strength was measured with a digital muscle strength meter.

Conditions

• Use of a Walker in Infancy
• Physical Activity Level
• Musculoskeletal Problems

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DIAGNOSTIC_TEST	Posture Analysis	This analysis consists of 13 different body parts and evaluates the body in terms of current posture changes. Our study evaluated children from two angles: posterior (head, shoulders, back, hips, feet, and arches) and lateral (neck, chest, shoulders, upper back, trunk, abdomen, and waist). In the scoring system, correct posture was recorded as five points, a moderate amount of deformity posture as three points, and severe deformity posture as one point. The total score calculated at the end of the questionnaire was a maximum of 65 points and a minimum of 13 points. The results of the analysis were evaluated as follows: ≥ 45 points, very good, 40-44 points good, 30-39 points moderate, 20-29 points poor, and a total score of ≤ 19 points.
DIAGNOSTIC_TEST	Physical activity level	This questionnaire, administered to children aged 4-14, evaluates the activities performed during a week. The questionnaire consisted of nine questions, each of which was evaluated on a 5 points. One point indicated a low physical activity level and five points indicated a high physical activity level. Dividing the total score of the selected items by the number of items gives a summary score for the PAQ-C questionnaire. In our study, we used the Turkish version of the questionnaire, which was found to be reliable and valid.
DIAGNOSTIC_TEST	Muscle strength	Our study objectively measured muscle strength using the JTech Commander PowerTrack Muscle Dynamometer. Right and left muscle tests: Hip flexors/hyperextensors/adductors/abductors/internal rotators/external retractors, knee flexors/extensors, and foot plantar flexors/dorsiflexors were evaluated. The measurement results were recorded in Newtons, the measurements were repeated three times, and the average of these three repetitions was recorded.

Timeline

• Start date: 2022-01-03
• Primary completion: 2022-04-30
• Completion: 2022-06-05
• First posted: 2023-06-12
• Last updated: 2023-06-12

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)