Locomotor treadmill training for children with cerebral palsy.

Due to a rise in the incidence of cerebral palsy, this diagnosis is increasingly encountered by orthopaedic nurses. The majority of children with cerebral palsy have difficulty with ambulation. Because ambulation is important for orthopaedic and cardiopulmonary development, as well as independence with activities of daily living, the achievement of ambulation is an important therapeutic goal for these children. Locomotor treadmill training is a relatively new method that is used to teach children how to walk and make their ambulation more efficient. This article reviews the underlying principles of locomotor treadmill training and examines related literature for children with cerebral palsy.