Correlation between arch height index, spatiotemporal gait parameters and plantar pressure in children with spastic hemiplegia cerebral palsy.

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the correlations between the arch height index (AHI), spatiotemporal gait parameters, and plantar pressure in children with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 15 children diagnosed with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy. The AHI was measured using the method developed by Williams and McClay. Spatiotemporal gait parameters were assessed using the GAITRite system, and plantar pressure was evaluated with the Dynafoot platform. On the affected side, the AHI showed moderate positive correlations with step length (0.522) and stride length (0.529). On the non-affected side, the AHI demonstrated a moderate negative correlation with plantar pressure in the medial heel region (-0.629). The findings suggest that the AHI is associated with shorter step and stride lengths and plantar pressure distribution in children with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy. These results support the clinical utility of AHI as an assessment tool and its potential role in guiding interventions to improve gait and foot posture in this population.