Siracusa C, Taynor M, Geletka B, Overby A. (2005)

Effectiveness of a biomechanical intervention in children with spastic diplegia. Pediatric Physical Therapy 17(1): 83-84. Detailed Abstract, Ped Phys Ther (PDF) Poster Presentation (PDF: 36" x 18")

Conducted at the Ohio University, PT Education Program, this study compared musculoskeletal status and temporal spatial gait features with and without TheraTogs for 2 school-aged children with CP. Poster presented at APTA Combined Sections Meeting, February 2005.

Subjects: 3 children with diplegic CP: 2 on posterior walkers (ages 7 and 8 years), 1 Level 1 (age3 years). 1 on walker is 5 years S/P SDR.

Method: After obtaining a stable set of baseline findings, all subjects were fitted with TheraTogs and 2 sets of straps to shorten the abdominals and to facilitate hip lateral rotation. These researchers undertook pelvic and selected LE musculoskeletal assessments prior to and after the data gathering period, and derived additional, customized TheraTogs strapping plans relative to the assessment findings.

Other data included GMFM scores obtained prior to and 1 week after discontinuing TheraTogs use; force plate data combined with videotaping re velocity, cadence, step length, and step width over a 6-meter distance. Caregivers kept a journal of their observations and experiences with the TheraTogs system.

Conclusions: "A customized, soft garment with strapping system can improve functional skills, range of motion, and gait in some children with diplegia when applied over an 8 week time period. More research is needed o determine optimal parameters for hours of usage and duration of intervention; a larger sample size and a change in design to A-B-A are needed to determine the efficacy of the system".