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.