title: The effect of suit wear during an intensive therapy program in children with cerebral palsy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the effects of suit wear during an intensive therapy program on motor function among children with cerebral palsy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty children were randomized to an experimental (TheraSuit) or a control (control suit) group and participated in an intensive therapy program. The Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) and Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM)-66 were administered before and after (4 and 9 weeks). Parent satisfaction was also assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant differences were found between groups. Significant within-group differences were found for the control group on the GMFM-66 and for the experimental group on the GMFM-66, PEDI Functional Skills Self-care, PEDI Caregiver Assistance Self-care, and PEDI Functional Skills Mobility. No adverse events were reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Children wearing the TheraSuit during an intensive therapy program did not demonstrate improved motor function compared with those wearing a control suit during the same program.
authors.affiliation: Division of Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229, USA. amy.bailes@cchmc.org
authors.forename: Amy F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Bailes
authors.forename: Kelly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Greve
authors.forename: Carol K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Burch
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Reder
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Myra M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Huth
mesh_terms: D001915:Braces; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000379:methods*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome