Effectiveness of Physiotherapy Applying Atlant Suit for Children with Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

Research background. One of the newest children’s cerebral palsy abilitation techniques are special neuro – orthopedic suits, which are used in physiotherapy procedures. “Atlant” suit rehabilitation has been introduced relatively recently, and it has not yet been extensively studied, especially in comparison with other methods. In Lithuania, this treatment method was introduced only a year ago. There is still lack of information about these suits effect on the motor skills of children with cerebral palsy. The aim of the research was to evaluate the effectiveness of physiotherapy using Atlanto suit for children with cerebral palsy. Methods. The research included 20 subjects, 14 boys and 6 girls. Participants were divided into two groups: experimental and control (10 children each). Participants were evaluated twice; at the beginning and at the end of rehabilitation. Points of evaluation included: • lower limb muscle tone (according to the modified Asworth scale); • range of joint motion (goniometry); • balance and gait (according Tinetti scale); • gross motor function (according to the gross motor measure scale – GMFM-88). Results. The study showed that the experimental group, where “Atlant” suit was used figures were statistically significantly higher (p < 0.05) assessing: evaluating the changes of muscle tone; changes of balance and gait and changes of gross motor functions, in comparison with the control group, which did not apply to neuro – orthopedic suit. Evaluated figures changes of joint range of motion for the experimental and control groups it was established that they did not differ statistically significant (p > 0.05). Conclusion. Physiotherapy combined with “Atlant” suit is more effective than conventional methods of physiotherapy treatment, improving children’s, suffering from cerebral palsy, general motor function, balance and gait and also muscle tone reduction.

Keywords: children, cerebral palsy, “Atlant” suit.