AN INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECT OF INHIBITORY ORTHOSES APPLICATION ON SPASTIC PLANTAR FLEXORS IN CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL PALSY

Abstract

Introduction: Inhibitory Ankle Foot Orthoses (AFO) were applied to children with plantar flexor spasticity with a diagnosis of cerebral palsy who referred to Hacettepe University Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation School, Cerebral Palsy Unit. Effects of inhibitory AFO during and after usage on spasticity were investigated.
Patients and methods: In this study, a total of 22 inhibitory orthoses application was performed to 11 patients with spastic diplegic cerebral palsied children. The mean age of the patients was 6.90 years (3-12 years). The patients used the inhibitory orthoses at least 6 to 8 hours per day for 4 weeks. The effects of orthosis on spastic plantar flexors were evaluated by passive goniometric measurement of ankle dorsi flexion movement and Modified Asworth Scale. Measurements were repeated before the application of orthoses, within 4 weeks of orthoses application and within 4 weeks of the removal of the orthoses.
Results: According to the results, spasticity decreased significantly after 4 weeks of orthoses application. Within 4 weeks of the removal of the orthoses, although the degree of spasticity showed a trend to return the preorthoses baseline values, this improvement was maintained.
Discussion: The use of inhibitory orthoses to decrease spasticity in children with cerebral palsy is a supportive treatment to neurodevelopmental approach.