A Comparison of the Effects of Conventional KAFO and Tone-Reducing KAFO During the Night on Spasticity Parameters and Sleep Quality

Objective: A major problem faced by cerebral palsy children is spasticity. Spasticity is characterized by difficulty controlling, functioning, and coordinating movement of the body. Furthermore, it affects the quality of sleep of children. Orthosis plays a significant role in rehabilitation treatment for this condition, according to all treatments used. Orthosis, which have orthokinetic and neurologic properties, are used to reduce and control spasticity and hypertonicity by affecting muscle activity. The present study aims to evaluate the orthosis design for its efficacy in improving sleep quality and reducing spasticity. Methods: It was a quasi-experimental study. Patients entered the study were diagnosed as having spastic cerebral palsy.  ۱۲ Children ages ۳ to ۱۳ years with GMFcs ۲ or ۳ and modified Ashworth scores (۱+ or ۲) whose previous treatment has been conventional were identified from three occupational therapy clinics. Based on the type of KAFO used, participants were divided into two groups: TR-KAFO and conventional KAFO. The children were followed up for four weeks. At admission, spasticity was assessed with the modified Tardieu Scale and sleep quality was assessed with the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC). Results: Spasticity decreased and sleep quality scores improved in the group of patients who used tone reducing KAFO. The mean score of children's sleep disorder scale in TR-KAFO and normal KAFO groups was ۴۵.۶۷±۶.۳۷۷ and ۵۳.۱۷±۵.۰۳۷, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<۰.۰۵). Discussion: Study results indicate that spasticity was significantly reduced in the group using an orthosis that was capable of reducing tone. In addition, the data of the present study provided evidence that a tone-reducing orthosis for a night period improved sleep quality in children with spastic cerebral palsy.

کلیدواژه ها:

Cerebral Palsy ، Spasticity ، Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthoses ، Tone-Reducing Orthotics ، sleep Quality