Neto Hugo Pasini, Collange Grecco Luanda André, Galli Manuella, Santos Oliveira Claudia
Rehabilitation Sciences Department, Universidade Nove de Julho, São Paulo, Brazil.
Pediatr Phys Ther. 2012 Winter;24(4):308-12. doi: 10.1097/PEP.0b013e318268a4fc.
The aim of this review was to compare the effects of rigid and articulated ankle-foot orthoses on gait in children with cerebral palsy (CP).
A systematic review was carried out in 4 databases. The papers identified were evaluated on the basis of the following inclusion criteria: (1) design--controlled clinical trial; (2) population--children and adolescents with CP; (3) intervention--rigid or articulated ankle-foot orthoses; and (4) outcome--improved motor function and gait performance.
Seven controlled studies comparing the effects of different ankle-foot orthoses were found. Studies achieved PEDro scores of 3 and 4 for methodological quality.
There is evidence supporting the use of an articulated ankle-foot orthosis by children with CP, because of the improved function this type of orthosis provides. However, other studies point out the advantages of a rigid orthosis for children with greater impairment related to spasticity and contractures.
