Abstract: Objective To observe the energy consumption of children with cerebral palsy before and after assisted walking. Methods From January, 2014 to October, 2015, 21 children in primary school of Grades 1~5 (control group) and 22 children with cerebral palsy in our hospital (observation group) were enrolled. They were required to walk in the 50 meters trail for six minutes. The resting heart rate, the walking distance and the heart rate after walking were measured, and the walking speed and the physical consumption index (PCI) were calculated. The observation group was tested with and without forearm crutches. Results Compared with the control group, the walking distance and speed significantly decreased (t>10.653, P<0.001), and the PCI significantly increased (t>4.207, P<0.001) in the observation group. For the observation group without forearm crutches, the heart rate after walking, and the difference of the heart rate significantly decreased (t=8.389, P<0.001), and the walking distance, walking speed and PCI decreased (t>2.382, P<0.05) when they walked with forearm crutches. Conclusion Assisted walking can decrease the energy consumption of children with cerebral palsy.

Key words: cerebral palsy, energy, consumption, forearm crutches