Efficacy of Nordic Walking Versus Conventional Gait Training on Gait Asymmetry Patterns in Children With Hemiparesis

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Abstract
Background and Purpose: Children with hemiparesis show a characteristic walking pattern resulting from weakness and spasticity on one side of the body. Nordic walking (NW) engages both the upper and lower bodies, which can help improve coordination and balance. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of NW on gait asymmetry patterns in children with hemiparesis. Study Design: Assessor‐blinded randomized controlled trial. Method: Forty children with hemiparesis, ranging in age from 6 to 10 years, were randomly allocated to two groups equal in numbers. Control group received a designed physical therapy program for 60 min per session, three times a week, for three consecutive months and NW‐group received the same designed physical therapy program while the NW training for 20 min replaced the functional gait training. Results: There was no significant difference between groups pre‐treatment ( p > 0.05). Within group comparison showed improvement in all measured variables. Post‐treatment comparison showed greater improvements in the NW group, including reduced symmetry index (11.34 ± 4.12 vs. 16.19 ± 4.87) and increased affected‐side step length (26.54 ± 2.92 vs. 22.03 ± 3.89) and cadence (95.30 ± 15.81 vs. 80.10 ± 17.81), compared with the control group (all p < 0.01). Conclusion: NW training has a positive influence on selected spatiotemporal and kinematic parameters and improves gait symmetry in children with hemiparesis and may serve as a feasible adjunct to conventional pediatric gait training. Trail Registration: The clinical trial registration number of the current study is (NCT05644652)

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