DESEMO seats for young children with cerebral palsy.

Twelve children with cerebral palsy ages 18 months to eight years received custom-molded DESEMO seats. All had markedly abnormal motor function manifested in spastic, athetoid, or mixed patterns of movement. None sat independently or were expected to gain such function. Three had minimal head control, and the remaining nine had fair head control. All were inadequately positioned in commercially available seats. The custom-molded DESEMO seat was clinically evaluated with regard to its ability to produce overall relaxation, assist head control, enhance feeding, improve upper extremity function, and prevent deformities. Also assessed were parents' acceptance of the device, cost, cosmesis, convenience, and its capacity to accommodate growth. Seven children utilized the seat as an insert for a motorized wheelchair. The secure positioning provided by this device permitted operation of a standard hand operated joystick control. Two seats were used as floor sitters, allowing the children to participate in peer group activities. Feeding improved dramatically with two children, as evidenced by weight gain and decreased feeding time. Three children with kyphotic spinal deformities showed no improvement or progression of their curves despite the seating device. The positioning device assisted head control for 10 children but failed to enhance head control in the remaining two. The overall cost of the device, including orthotist and physical therapist time, is $640.00 (1985). The average growth potential of the seat is six to nine months.