scholarly journals Sensomotoric Orthoses, Ankle–Foot Orthoses, and Children with Cerebral Palsy: The Bigger Picture

Children ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. 82
Author(s):  
Clare MacFarlane ◽  
Robin Orr ◽  
Wayne Hing

Ankle–foot orthoses (AFOs) and sensomotoric orthoses (SMotOs) are two—clinically relevant, yet under researched—types of lower limb orthoses used in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Quality of life is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Evaluating the effect of these two types of orthoses on quality of life in children with CP has not been reported on. The aim of this case study series was to synthesise and enrich the volume of evidence reported to inform real world applications of SMotO use in children with CP. Participants recruited were children with CP who performed the Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up-and-Go, the Gross Motor Function Measure and/or the Edinburgh Visual Gait Score in AFOs, SMotOs and barefoot where able. Qualitative data included videos of gait, a questionnaire and pedographs. Eight participants completed 39 quantitative and six qualitative measures, with the Edinburgh Visual Gait Score (EVGS) reporting the highest response. A general improvement was seen in gross motor skills and gait when wearing the SMotOs compared to AFOs and some parents reported that SMotOs were preferred. The reader is able to correlate the quantitative results with the qualitative evidence presented.

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
pp. e019002
Author(s):  
Katarína Molnárová Letovancová ◽  
Miriam Slaná ◽  
Michaela Hromková

The birth of a child with cerebral palsy is an enormous challenge for the parents which has a direct impact on their quality of life. Therefore, we believe it is important to pay attention to this topic. To that end, we conducted research on the quality of life of parents of children with cerebral palsy in 2018. To achieve our goal, we applied quantitative research strategy and used a valid research tool, i.e. a standardized quality of life questionnaire – Family Quality of Life Scale ("FQOL"). The average score reached by respondents was 94.0918 points which indicates a higher quality of life in respondents than expected. The evaluation of the average score for each dimension of the scale showed that respondents scored the lowest in the "Emotional Well-Being" dimension (13.2551 points) and "Social Support" (15.6429 points). The research further confirmed that there were statistically significant differences in the quality of life of respondents depending on their age (t = -2.341, p = 0.021), marital status (F = 3.476, p = 0.019) and the territorial region (χ2 = 15.39, p = 0.031). A statistically significant relationship between the quality of life of respondents and the age of the child with cerebral palsy (0.288 **, p = 0.004) was confirmed. Despite a relatively high score that indicated a higher quality of life in respondents, the research identified two areas in which parents of children with cerebral palsy had a lower quality of life, namely, their emotional well-being and social support.


Author(s):  
Sonam . ◽  
Mahapatra Arun Kumar ◽  
Rajagopala Shrikrishna

Introduction - Cerebral Palsy (CP) being the leading cause of disability in children is a symptom complex, whichv has worldwide incidence of 2.1/1000 live births, and for India it is 3/1000 live births. In Ayurveda, the cerebral palsy can be correlated with various conditions due to Vata predominance. There is no satisfactory criterion in managing this condition is developed till date. The present study is planned with Abhaya Ghrita and procedure based therapy to provide possible improvement in gross motor function of children with cerebral palsy and thereby improving their quality of life. Material and Methods - A Trial was conducted at a tertiary health care setting to evaluate the clinical efficacy of Ayurvedic Intervention (Abhaya Ghrita and procedure based therapy Udvartana, Sarvanga Abhyanga, Nadi Sweda and Matra Basti). Diagnosed children of cerebral palsy, aged 1-12 years of either gender were selected. The scale gross motor function manual (GMFM) and Cerebral Palsy quality of life (CP-QOL) were used for assessment. Results - Total 20 patients were registered in the present study. 70% patients were below 8 years of age with clear male predominance comprised of 85% of the total sample size. As per the birth history of the patients 15% were preterm, home delivery was present in 20%. 45% and 10% were Low birth weight (LBW) and Very Low birth weight (VLBW) after birth respectively. History of delayed cry was present in 80% cases. 45% required Hospitalization and 65% were subjected to Resuscitation and need of incubator just after birth was present in 25% patients. Discussion - Gross Motor Function scale has shown significant improvement in motor activities like lying and rolling, sitting and total score with pandlt;0.001, on crawling and kneeling and standing with pandlt;0.01 and on walking and running with pandlt;0.02. The CP-QOL has also shown significant results on health and family and friends component. Conclusion - Thus, it may be concluded that the Ayurveda approach is effective in improving the gross motor function and quality of life of children with cerebral palsy.


2021 ◽  
pp. 030802262199511
Author(s):  
Ayla Günal ◽  
Serkan Pekçetin ◽  
Petra Wagman ◽  
Carita Håkansson ◽  
Hülya Kayıhan

Introduction Occupational balance (OB) is an important concept in occupational therapy and is considered as an essential component of health and well-being. The aim of this study was to show differences in OB and quality of life (QoL) between mothers of children with cerebral palsy (CP) and typically developing children. Methods Thirty-six mothers of children with CP and 36 mothers of typically developing children participated in the study. The mothers’ OB was evaluated using the Turkish Occupational Balance Questionnaire-11 (OBQ11-T), and their QoL was evaluated with the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP). Results The OBQ11-T, total score, and the item ‘balance between obligatory and voluntary occupations’ score differed significantly between the groups ( p < 0.05). There were also significant differences in NHP’s aspects of emotional reaction, social isolation, and sleep scores between the groups ( p < 0.05). A negative correlation was detected between OBQ11-T total and NHP total scores in mothers of children with CP ( p < 0.01). Conclusion This study demonstrates that occupational therapists should pay attention to balance between obligatory and voluntary occupations to promote occupational balance. Also, QoL in mothers of children with CP should be evaluated. Therefore, occupational therapists should implement interventions to increase them when necessary for mothers of children with CP.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keiko Shikako-Thomas ◽  
Noémi Dahan-Oliel ◽  
Michael Shevell ◽  
Mary Law ◽  
Rena Birnbaum ◽  
...  

The objective of this study was to examine the association between leisure participation and quality of life (QoL) in school-age children with cerebral palsy (CP). Leisure participation was assessed using the Children’s Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment (CAPE) and QoL using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL). Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated to examine the association between CAPE and PedsQL scores, and a multiple linear regression model was used to estimate QoL predictors. Sixty-three children (mean age9.7±2.1years; 39 male) in GMFCS levels I–V were included. Intensity of participation in active-physical activities was significantly correlated with both physical (r=0.34,P=0.007) and psychosocial well-being (r=0.31,P=0.01). Intensity and diversity of participation in skill-based activities were negatively correlated with physical well-being (r=−0.39,P=0.001, andr=−0.41,P=0.001, resp.). Diversity and intensity of participation accounted for 32% (P=0.002) of the variance for physical well-being and 48% (P<0.001) when age and gross motor functioning were added. Meaningful and adapted leisure activities appropriate to the child’s skills and preferences may foster QoL.


2019 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 453-458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua Young ◽  
Sally Jackson

Background: Ankle-foot orthoses may be used in pre-ambulatory children with cerebral palsy; however, their effect on the acquisition of walking is unknown. This case report aims to evaluate the effect of an ankle-foot orthosis–footwear combination on the acquisition of walking in a single subject with cerebral palsy. Case Description and Methods: This study reports the orthotic management of a single child with spastic bilateral cerebral palsy over a 15-month period, during which time the ability to independently stand and walk was acquired. Custom rigid ankle-foot orthoses were prescribed. Gait speed and Edinburgh Visual Gait Score were assessed with and without the orthoses. Findings and Outcomes: The subject developed the ability to stand and walk using an ankle-foot orthosis–footwear combination with a walker frame, and to a limited extent without a walker frame. The subject remained unable to take independent steps unless wearing the ankle-foot orthosis–footwear combination. Clinically significant differences in gait speed and Edinburgh Visual Gait Score were observed. Conclusion: An ankle-foot orthosis–footwear combination may aid the development of independent walking in some children with cerebral palsy. Further research on the effects of orthoses on the acquisition of walking ability in children with cerebral palsy is needed. Clinical relevance Custom rigid ankle-foot orthoses combined with footwear may aid the development of independent standing and walking in some children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy. This intervention may be considered in clinical practice and future research in this patient group.


2008 ◽  
Vol 66 (3b) ◽  
pp. 652-658 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taísa R. Simões de Assis ◽  
Edilson Forlin ◽  
Isac Bruck

AIM: To analyze quality of life (QOL) of children with cerebral palsy (CP) treated with botulinum toxin type A (BTXA). METHOD: Two QOL evaluation tools, translated into Portuguese, were used: Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument (PODCI) and Child's Caregiver Questionnaire (CCQ). Questionnaires were answered by caregivers on two occasions. Patients were divided into 3 groups: I - patients who had been previously treated with BTXA and who underwent a session of BTXA; II - patients who used BTXA for the first time; III - patients previously treated with BTXA but did not in this interval. RESULTS: Sixty-eight patients were evaluated. In group I (n=26) the functional ability had improvement for all types of CP (p=0.04), and tetraplegic increased interaction/communication (p=0.02). In group II (n=14) positioning improved (p=0.02). Group III (n=28) showed no change in QOL. CONCLUSIONS: PODCI and CCQ are able to capture outcome in children with CP.


Rev Rene ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
pp. e61752
Author(s):  
Abigail Oluwadunni Davis ◽  
Oladapo Michael Olagbegi ◽  
Kayode Orekoya ◽  
Mathew Adekunle ◽  
Olufemi Oyeleye Oyewole ◽  
...  

Objective: to analyze the caregiver burden and the quality of life of informal caregivers of children with cerebral palsy. Methods: the cross-sectional survey involved 109 caregivers of children with cerebral palsy recruited from physiotherapy clinic at a tertiary hospital. The quality of life and caregiver burden were assessed using the Personal Wellbeing Index Scale and the Modified Caregivers’ Strain Index, respectively. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: the mean strain index and quality of life scores of the participants were 11.85 ± 5.72 and 64.68 ± 8.03 respectively. The majority (67.9%) of the caregivers had fair personal well-being, while about one-third (33.0%) had high caregiver’s strain. Child’s age (B=2.454; p<0.005) and caregivers’ occupation (B= -2.547; p=0.001) were predictors of caregiver strain. Conclusion: caring for children with cerebral palsy imposed a substantial burden on the caregivers and child’s age and caregivers’ occupation were predictor variables.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliana MP Starling ◽  
Ana Paula B Gontijo ◽  
Rosana F Sampaio ◽  
Juliana V Mambrini ◽  
Sergio T Fonseca ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Hippotherapy is a complementary therapeutic modality that seeks to promote functional changes in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Knowledge of the direct and indirect changes resulting from this therapy will help identify which groups of children with cerebral palsy can benefit from this type of therapy. The present study aimed to analyze the effects of hippotherapy for children with cerebral palsy with regard to age, topography, and severity using the rehabilitation treatment taxonomy. Methods We conducted a before-after clinical trial. Thirty-one children with CP, stratified by age (4-7 years; 8-12 years), severity (mild, moderate, severe), topography (hemiplegia, diplegia, quadriplegia) and previous time in hippotherapy (3-6 months, over 6 months) underwent individual weekly 30-minute hippotherapy sessions for 6 months in addition to regular rehabilitation. Postural control and balance were evaluated by the Early Clinical Assessment of Balance (ECAB). Secondary outcome measures included the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) and the Cerebral Palsy Quality of Life for Children self-report of the primary caregiver questionnaire. Blinding was used for scoring the outcome measures. Results Postural control and balance and gross motor function showed small improvements after 6 months of intervention, with larger effects in dimensions D and E of the children’s gross motor function. These changes were influenced by the severity and topography of the CP. The taxonomy of rehabilitation treatments structured the interpretation of the hippotherapy effects, identifying the possible mechanism of action (horse’s step and movement demands), active ingredients (activation of muscles involved in postural correction, vestibular and visual stimuli), target outcomes (postural control and balance) and indirect outcomes (gross motor function and quality of life). Conclusion Hippotherapy sessions, in addition to rehabilitation, produced small, but positive changes in motor and psychosocial outcomes in children with CP. The benefits varied from 3 to 7 points in postural control and balance (ECAB) and in all dimensions of the GMFM. The changes in gross motor function were influenced by the type and severity of CP.


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