Dynamic Postural Control and Level of Functional Abilities with and without Ankle Foot Orthosis in Ambulatory Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Cross Sectional Study

Objective: To investigate the dynamic postural control and level of functional abilities with and without ankle foot orthosis in ambulatory children with cerebral palsy. Method: 32 children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP) were selected based on the inclusion criteria in two groups: Children who were using DAFOs and children who had never used DAFOs. Two dynamic activities of sit to stand and forward reach were performed by children of both the groups on force plat form for the assessment of dynamic postural control and their level of functional abilities were scored using Paediatric Evaluation of Disability Index (PEDI) by parental report. Results: The dynamic postural control using force platform showed lesser COPE in children with CP who were using DAFOs compared to children in other group for sit to stand and forward reach activities respectively (p=0.003; p=0.423). PEDI score was higher in children who were using DAFOs compared to children without DAFOs. The correlation of dynamic postural control with their level of functional abilities was non- significant for both the groups. Conclusion: Children with spastic CP who are using DAFOs more than a year had better dynamic postural control and functional abilities compared to children without DAFOs.