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The effect of dynamic ankle foot orthoses on function in children with cerebral palsy
Bjornson KF, Schmale GA, Adamczyk-Foster A, McLaughlin J
Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics 2006 Nov-Dec;26(6):773-776
clinical trial
4/10 [Eligibility criteria: Yes; Random allocation: Yes; Concealed allocation: No; Baseline comparability: No; Blind subjects: No; Blind therapists: No; Blind assessors: Yes; Adequate follow-up: No; Intention-to-treat analysis: No; Between-group comparisons: Yes; Point estimates and variability: Yes. Note: Eligibility criteria item does not contribute to total score] *This score has been confirmed*

Dynamic ankle-foot orthoses (DAFOs), with free plantarflexion, are frequently prescribed to facilitate the gross motor skills of children with cerebral palsy. Employing a randomized crossover design, this project documents the short-term effect of DAFOs in 23 ambulatory children with cerebral palsy aged 1.9 to 7.3 years. Significant improvements in crawling/kneeling, standing, and walking/running and jumping skills, as measured by using the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) 88 and 66, were documented (p < 0.001). Increased motor skills with the use of DAFOs were mildly correlated with the leg length of the participants. Increasing age was negatively correlated with standing skill improvement while wearing the DAFOs. Young children who are independent walkers seem to benefit greater from the DAFOs with free plantarflexion than do children using assistive devices. Future research needs to clarify the long-term influence of the use of DAFOs on gross motor skill acquisition in young children with cerebral palsy.
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