Moderate effect of ankle foot orthosis versus ground reaction ankle foot orthosis on balance in children with diplegic cerebral palsy.

BACKGROUND: The children with diplegic cerebral palsy (CP) commonly have abnormal alignment of lower extremities affecting their abilities of keeping balance. Orthoses are one of the many approaches that can be prescribed to improve balance and walking in diplegic children.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to assess the moderate effect of solid ankle foot orthosis (AFO) vs. the ground reaction ankle foot orthosis (GRAFO) on balance in children with diplegic CP.

STUDY DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial.

METHODS: Thirty children with spastic diplegic CP from both genders participated in this study; their ages were between 6 and 9 years. They were divided randomly into two study groups of equal numbers; the first study group A received the regular physical therapy program besides wearing the AFO for successive three months. The second study group B received the regular physical therapy program besides wearing the GRAFO for successive 3 months. All childrens' balance was evaluated before starting the treatment program and after 3 months by using the Biodex balance system (anteroposterior and mediolateral stability indices).

RESULTS: There were significant improvement of all stability indices in both groups (P < 0.05), with significant difference between groups when comparing post-treatment mean values of the measured indices in favor to study group B (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: The GRAFO achieved more balance control in children with spastic diplegic CP compared with solid AFO.