Evaluation of Short-Term Intensive Orthotic Garment Use in Children Who Have Cerebral Palsy

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of an orthotic undergarment on gait, balance, and life skills of children who have diplegic cerebral palsy (CP). METHODS: Five subjects (ages 7-13 years) with CP at Gross Motor Function Classification Scale level I wore a TheraTog undergarment for 12 weeks. Data collection included Vicon Motion Analysis, Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, and Canadian Occupational Performance Measure at baseline; in and out of the garment after 12 weeks of wear; 2 months and 4 months after garment wear. RESULTS: Kinematic data indicated increased peak hip extension and correction of anterior pelvic tilt in stance during wear time. Composite gross motor scores on the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency and Canadian Occupational Performance Measure scores improved significantly at the end of wear time. CONCLUSION: When worn for a 12-week time frame, an individualized orthotic garment can improve gait and functional skills in some children with CP.