Anna Kosiecz, Agnieszka Zdzienicka-Chyła, Jolanta Taczała, Krzysztof Krasowicz, Marta Kuśmierz, Jarosław Napiórkowski

A. Kosiecz, A. Zdzienicka-Chyła, J. Taczała, K. Krasowicz, M. Kuśmierz, J. Napiórkowski – The Influence of the Soft Torso Orthosis on Motor Functions of Children with Cerebral Palsy – Preliminary Research. Fizjoterapia Polska 2020; 20(1); 86-91

Abstract
Introduction. Soft orthopaedic equipment is increasingly used in therapy of children with cerebral palsy. The primary goal of using soft orthoses is to improve the patient’s functioning – their contribution to central stabilization and postural control is emphasized. The principal aim of applying soft orthotics is to enhance the patient’s functioning in everyday life.
Objective. Examination of the influence of using soft torso orthoses on motor skills of children with cerebral palsy.
Material and methods. Four children with cerebral palsy who could walk independently – level I or II according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) – were qualified for the preliminary research. Motor skills were evaluated in accordance with the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM). Evaluation of the functional condition was repeated every 3 months for half a year. The children used soft torso orthoses for about 4 hours a day and participated in rehabilitation exercises with the same frequency as before the study.
Results: Improvement on motor functions, confirmed with an increase in GMFM score by 2.5% on average, was observed in all the children during 6 months.
Conclusions. A positive influence of using soft torso orthoses on improvement in the patients’ functional condition was observed, confirmed with higher GMFM scores.

Key words:
soft orthoses, cerebral palsy, gross motor skills, GMFM