BALANCE, Cerebral Palsy, FUCTIONAL MOBILITY, THERATOGS
Conditions
Keywords
Cerebral Palsy, children, adolescents, balance, functional mobility, TheraTogs
Brief summary
Cerebral Palsy (CP) is the most common cause of childhood disability, with an estimated prevalence of 17 million individuals worldwide. Children and adolescents with CP present impaired postural control and balance, negatively affecting their mobility and functional performance. The use of dynamic orthotic garments may contribute to the improvement of postural control, balance, and functional mobility in children and adolescents with CP. The aim of the present study is to investigate the immediate effect of the dynamic orthotic garment TheraTogs on balance and functional mobility in children and adolescents with CP. In this cross-sectional pilot study, children and adolescents with CP classified as levels I and II according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), and with spasticity levels lower than +1 according to the Modified Ashworth Scale, will participate. Balance will be assessed using the Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS), while functional mobility will be evaluated with the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test and the 10 Meter Walk Test (10MWT). Each assessment will be performed twice by each participant, with and without the TheraTogs dynamic orthotic garment, in random order. Statistical analysis will be conducted using SPSS Statistics V29 software, with the level of significance set at p \< 0.05.
Interventions
DEVICETHERATOGS
Theratogs is a dynamic orthotic garment, made of a "breathable", lightweight, self-adhesive Velcro fabric. It provides a gentle passive force for correcting imbalances or alignments through a combined system of the trunk and lower limbs, along with a system of customized external straps. It is worn over the skin under clothing or over a diaper. The patented soft foam material gently grips the user's soft tissues to create biomechanical changes that are essential for positive outcomes. A variety of lengths, back sizes, stiffness diameters, and placement options optimize the therapeutic and orthotic effects.
Sponsors
University of West Attica
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
5 Years to 15 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Diagnosis of unilateral or bilateral spastic Cerebral Palsy * GMFCS level I or II * MAS level lower than +1 * Ability to understand and follow instructions * Ability to walk without assistive devices
Exclusion criteria
* Use of medications affecting balance * Hearing or visual impairments * Intellectual disability * Botulinum toxin (Botox) injection in the lower limbs within the previous 6 months * Severe musculoskeletal deformities * Surgery within the previous 6 months * Uncontrolled seizures during the previous 6 months
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| TIMED UP AND GO TEST | 1 HOUR | The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test evaluates functional mobility. The test requires a chair with armrests and back support, a measuring tape, adhesive tape, and a stopwatch. The time required for the participant to stand up from the chair, walk a distance of three meters (with or without assistive devices), turn around, return, and sit down again is recorded. The TUG test is considered a valid and highly reliable tool (ICC = 0.99) for evaluating functional mobility in children with CP. |
| 10 Meter Walk Test (10MWT) | 1 HOUR | The 10 Meter Walk Test (10MWT) evaluates functional mobility by measuring walking speed. Participants walk at their normal pace along a 14-meter walkway with or without assistive devices. A stopwatch is used to record the time required to complete a 10-meter distance, excluding the first and last two meters to allow for acceleration and deceleration. The test demonstrates high test-retest reliability and high correlation with gross motor function in children with CP. |
| Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) | 1 HOUR | The Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) is a modified version of the Berg Balance Scale designed to assess functional balance skills in children with mild to moderate motor impairments. The scale consists of 14 balance-related items scored from 0 (lowest function) to 4 (highest function), with a maximum score of 56 and a minimum score of 0 . The PBS has been translated into Greek and is considered a reliable and valid tool for assessing functional balance in children with CP. |
Contacts
CONTACTMarina Karachanidi
Outcome results
None listed