The use of Tone Relieving Ankle-Foot Orthoses in the management of children with cerebral palsy

Tone Relieving Ankle Foot Orthoses (TRAFOs) have been used in the management ofneurophysically impaired patients for some years within the United States and during thelast few years they have been introduced in the UK. The main difference between aTRAFO and a standard polypropylene ankle foot orthosis (AFO) is that the TRAFOdoes not have a flat base beneath the foot, but one with various raised and hollowedareas. This unique base is designed to hold the foot in a neutral position and providesupport and stability under the dynamic arches of the foot.The investigation aimed to determine any benefits of using TRAFOs in the managementof children with cerebral palsy in comparison with those obtained using standard anidefoot orthoses. Fifteen children were recruited into the investigation and assigned to oneof two groups. Group 1 were monitored in standard AFOs for six months and group 2were monitored in AFOs for three months and then in TRAFOs for a second three monthperiod. The subjects were assessed at regular intervals during the six month period usingEMG analysis to establish changes in the pattern of muscular activity during gait. Videoanalysis and force platform data was also used to determine general gait parameters andrecord ground reaction vectors.Results for EMG and the temporal and spatial parameters were unable to highlight anyareas in which tone-relieving ankle-foot orthoses produced more favourable results thanstandard polypropylene ankle-foot orthoses. The results suggest that TRAFOs may notwork in the neurological manner previously indicated and may have no greater benefit toa patient than a standard polypropylene AFO.

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

Doctoral (Level 8)

Year dc:date.issued

1999

Author dc:creator

• Hall, VT

Language dc:language

en

Identifier

oai:salford-repository.worktribe.com:1336387

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:salford-repository.worktribe.com:1336387