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Kinematic Synergy Reconstruction Analysis for Assessing Gait Complexity and Adaptability in Children With Cerebral Palsy

Authors :

Mahshad Nazari Jeirani¹ Yasamin Azmi² Mahya Shojaeefard³ Masoud Yousefi⁴ Farzam Farahmand⁵

1- Department of Mechanical Engineering/Sharif University of Technology 2- Department of Mechanical Engineering/Sharif University of Technology 3- Djavad Mowafaghian Research Center 4- Department of Mechanical Engineering/Sharif University of Technology 5- Department of Mechanical Engineering/Sharif University of Technology

Keywords :

Cerebral palsy،gait،Joint coordination،Coordination variability،Kinematic synergy

Abstract :

Cerebral palsy is the most common motor disability in childhood, often leading to impaired gait and reduced adaptability in motor control. Quantifying the complexity and variability of joint coordination patterns can provide valuable insight into underlying neuromuscular deficits and inform rehabilitation strategies. This study examined motor coordination and its variability in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy compared with typically developing children, using kinematic synergy reconstruction analysis. A total of 150 participants (120 CP, 30 TD; aged 5-13 years) were assessed, with children with cerebral palsy classified into four gait subgroups, including True, Jump, Apparent, and Crouch. Gait kinematic data were analyzed using non-negative matrix factorization, and synergy variability was quantified via variance accounted for (VAF). Results showed that children with CP required fewer synergies than the TD group, with a progressive reduction in synergy count as the severity of gait impairment increased. Also, all CP groups, except the True group, demonstrated significantly lower VAF variability of single synergy, indicating more rigid and less adaptable gait patterns. These findings highlight the utility of kinematic synergy analysis for characterizing motor control deficits.