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Effect of Dynamic Elastomeric Fabric Orthoses on Postural Control in Children With Cerebral Palsy
Mahmood Bahramizadeh1, Mehdi Rassafiani, Gholamreza Aminian
1Department of Orthotics and Prosthetics (Drs Bahramizadeh and Aminian), Pediatric Neurorehabilitation Research Center (Dr Rassafiani), and Iranian Research Center on Aging (Dr Rashedi), University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran; and Department of Orthotics and Prosthetics (Dr Farmani and Mrs Mirbagheri), School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
Insights
Dynamic elastomeric fabric orthoses (DEFOs) reduced crouch in children with cerebral palsy (CP) but did not improve postural control within 6 weeks. DEFOs offer a safe option for managing CP-related posture.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Rehabilitation Science
- Pediatric Orthopedics
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) often involves motor impairments affecting posture and mobility.
- Dynamic elastomeric fabric orthoses (DEFOs) are emerging as a potential intervention for managing CP-related physical challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of DEFOs on postural control in children diagnosed with cerebral palsy.
- To assess changes in knee extension and center of pressure parameters following DEFO use.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study involving 10 children with spastic diplegic CP and 10 typically developing children.
- Electrogoniometry measured knee extension; force platform data analyzed center of pressure parameters.
- Measurements were taken with and without DEFOs before and after a 6-week intervention period.
Main Results:
- Children with CP showed significant improvement in maximum standing knee extension after 6 weeks of DEFO use (P < .05).
- No significant improvements were observed in center of pressure parameters, indicating no change in postural stability.
- DEFO use did not negatively impact postural stability in the short term.
Conclusions:
- DEFOs can effectively reduce the crouch posture in children with CP without adverse effects on stability.
- A 6-week intervention period with DEFOs is insufficient to enhance postural control in this population.
- Further research is needed to explore longer-term effects and optimal use of DEFOs for CP management.
Purpose:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dynamic elastomeric fabric orthoses (DEFOs) on postural control in children with cerebral palsy (CP).
Methods:
Ten children with spastic diplegic CP and 10 children with typical development participated. Knee extension was measured using electrogoniometry. The standard deviation of excursion and phase plane portraits of velocity in the anteroposterior and mediolateral directions were calculated from force platform signals as center of pressure parameters with or without a DEFO.
Results:
Maximum standing knee extension for children with CP improved after 6 weeks of wearing DEFOs (P < .05). Center of pressure parameters did not improve when comparing pre- to 6 weeks post-DEFO use (P < .05).
Conclusion:
The DEFO can reduce the crouch position without any negative effect on postural stability in children with CP. However, postural control does not improve in a 6-week timeframe.
