Author: Kathy Martin, PT, DHS
Source: Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, Volume 46, Pages 406-411, 2004
In this non-randomized, prospective trial, the author explored the effects of a flexible supramalleolar orthosis (SMO- a brace that wraps around the ankle) on postural stability (balance) in children with Down syndrome.
14 children between the ages of 3? and 8 years were tested using different measures of postural stability, including parts of the Gross Motor Function Measure and the Balance subtest of the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency. Tests were performed three times during a 10 week period (at weeks 1, 3, and 10). Significant improvements were found when the children wore SMOs compared to when they wore shoes only. Improvements were seen in standing, walking, running and jumping, both when they first wore their SMO?s and 7 weeks later.
The author concludes that these results showed that younger children with Down syndrome showed immediate and longer term improvement in postural stability with the use of flexible SMOs.
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