Identification of spatiotemporal gait parameters and pressure-related characteristics in children with Angelman syndrome: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Angelman syndrome (AS) leads to clinical manifestations that include intellectual impairments, developmental delay and poor motor function. Initiatives to develop therapeutics implie an urgent need to identify methods that accurately measure the motor abilities.

METHODS: Six children with AS (6 to 9 years old) walked on an instrumented walkway to get spatiotemporal parameters (STPs) and center of pressure (CoP). These outcomes were compared to typically developing children (TD): 44 TD 6 to 9 years old and 20 TD 4 to 5 years old.

RESULTS: Analysis revealed differences in all STPs and gait variability index when compared to TD individuals. When AS participants were compared to younger TD individuals, except step length, STPs were different. Analysis of the CoP pathway revealed a less consistent and efficient pathway in AS.

CONCLUSIONS: We could delineate the functional difference between children with AS and TD children. The variability of STP and the CoP were the most valuable components in gait to be considered in AS.