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Effect of the Dynamic Orthotic Garment on Postural Control, and Endurance in Children with Spastic Diplegic Cerebral
Hatem A Emara1,2, Ahmed H Al-Johany3, Osama A Khaled1,4
1Physical Therapy Department, College of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, Taibah University, Medina, Saudi Arabia.
Insights
Adding dynamic orthotic garments (TheraTogs) to conventional physical therapy significantly improved foot pressure, balance, and endurance in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy (CP). This intervention enhances outcomes beyond standard care for CP management.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Biomechanical Engineering
Background:
- Spastic diplegic cerebral palsy (CP) significantly impacts motor function, affecting gait, balance, and endurance in children.
- Conventional physical therapy (CPT) is a cornerstone of CP management, but optimizing outcomes remains a key objective.
- Dynamic orthotic garments offer a potential adjunct to CPT by providing external support and proprioceptive input.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of dynamic orthotic garments (TheraTogs) as an adjunct to CPT.
- To assess the impact of TheraTogs on foot pressure distribution, postural control, and endurance in children with spastic diplegic CP.
- To compare outcomes between children receiving CPT alone versus CPT with TheraTogs.
Main Methods:
- A single-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted with 34 children (8-10 years) diagnosed with spastic diplegic CP.
- Participants were randomized into two groups: CPT alone (control) and CPT plus TheraTogs (study).
- Outcome measures included foot pressure distribution, trunk control (Trunk Control Measurement Scale, Trunk Position Sense), balance (Pediatric Berg Balance Scale), and endurance (6-minute walking distance).
Main Results:
- The TheraTogs group demonstrated statistically significant improvements in foot pressure distribution (mean and peak pressures across forefoot, midfoot, and rearfoot) compared to the control group.
- Significant enhancements were observed in the TheraTogs group for the Pediatric Berg Balance Scale, Trunk Control Measurement Scale, Trunk Position Sense, and 6-minute walking distance.
- While both groups improved, the magnitude of improvement was notably greater in the study group receiving TheraTogs.
Conclusions:
- The addition of TheraTogs to conventional physical therapy provides significant benefits for children with spastic diplegic CP.
- TheraTogs effectively improve foot pressure distribution, enhance postural control and balance, and increase walking endurance.
- Dynamic orthotic garments represent a valuable therapeutic tool for optimizing functional outcomes in pediatric CP rehabilitation.
Purpose:
To investigate the effect of dynamic orthotic garments (Thera togs) on foot pressure distribution, postural control, and endurance in children with spastic diplegic CP.
Patients And Methods:
This is a single-blind randomized controlled clinical trial involving 34 (8-10 years) with spastic diplegic CP. The control group received conventional physical therapy (CPT), whereas the study group received CPT in addition to wearing TheraTogs. We recorded foot pressure distribution, trunk control measurement scale, trunk position sense, Pediatric Berg Balance Scale (PBS), and six-minute walking distance (6MWD).
Results:
Both groups showed improvement. The study group had significant improvement in foot pressure distribution (p-value 0.003, 0.001, <0.001 for forefoot, midfoot, and rearfoot mean pressures respectively, and 0.005, <0.001, and 0.005 for forefoot, midfoot, and rearfoot peak pressures respectively), Pediatric balance scale, The trunk control measurement scale, and Trunk position sense (p-value < 0.001) and six-minute walking distance (p-value 0.029). Our data suggest that adding TheraTogs to conventional physiotherapy improves foot pressure, postural control, and endurance in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy.
Conclusion:
Both TheraTogs and conventional physical therapy corrected foot pressure distribution, trunk control, improved balance, and increased 6MWD in children with spastic diplegic CP but the improvement was more significant in TheraTogs group.
Clinical Trial Registration:
NCT05271149.
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