title: The effect of floor reaction ankle foot orthosis on postural control in children with spastic cerebral palsy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Children with cerebral palsy (CP) often demonstrate postural control difficulties. Orthotic management may assist in improving postural control in these children.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this investigation was to examine the influence of floor reaction ankle foot orthosis (FRAFO) on postural flexion called the crouch position in children with CP.
  
  
  METHODS
  Quasi-experimental.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight children with spastic diplegic CP and eight matched typically developing children participated in this study. Postural control of children with CP was assessed in a static standing position on a force platform with/without a FRAFO. The parameters used were centre of pressure (CoP) measures, calculated from force platform signals including the standard deviation (SD) of excursion; phase plate portrait and SD of velocity in anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) directions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The maximum knee extension was statistically significant in children with CP when barefoot compared to wearing braced footwear (p < 0.05, t = 10.01). AP and ML displacement, AP velocity and AP phase plate portrait of CoP were not statistically significant between children with CP with/without a FRAFO (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  FRAFO can improve the alignment of the knee, but may not be helpful in improving postural control in children with CP in a short time period.
authors: University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran. Iran. m_e_Mousavi@yahoo.com
authors: Mahmood
authors: M
authors: Bahramizadeh
authors: Mohammad Ebrahim
authors: ME
authors: Mousavi
authors: Mehdi
authors: M
authors: Rassafiani
authors: Gholamreza
authors: G
authors: Aminian
authors: Ismail
authors: I
authors: Ebrahimi
authors: Masoud
authors: M
authors: Karimlou
authors: Gjyn O'
authors: GO
authors: Toole
mesh_terms: D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D017760:Bone Malalignment / Q000517:prevention & control; D001915:Braces; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005430:Floors and Floorcoverings; D005528:Foot / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*