Clinical trial finds Hip Brace can improve Quality of Life for Children with Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a disorder that affects movement and posture. It occurs when there is damage to the brain during pregnancy, childbirth, or shortly after birth. People with CP may experience various degrees of disability and may have trouble with walking, sitting, or standing. Hip displacement is a common complication of CP, which can cause pain and discomfort, and may require surgery. However, a clinical trial has found that a newly designed hip brace can help prevent hip displacement in children with non-ambulatory CP, providing an alternative to surgery.

Clinical Trial

The trial involved 66 children aged 1 to 10 years with non-ambulatory CP. The children were divided into two groups - an intervention group and a control group. The intervention group wore the hip brace for at least 12 hours a day for 12 months, while the control group did not wear the brace. Both groups continued with their usual rehabilitation therapy during the study.

The researchers measured the effectiveness of the hip brace by comparing the Reimers migration index (MI) between the two groups. The Reimers MI is a measure of hip displacement on X-rays. The researchers found that the children in the intervention group had a significantly lower MI compared to the control group after 6 and 12 months of using the hip brace. This means that the hip brace helped prevent hip displacement in children with non-ambulatory CP.

The study also assessed the impact of the hip brace on the children's quality of life, using a measure called the Caregiver Priorities & Child Health Index of Life with Disabilities. The researchers found that the children in the intervention group had a better quality of life compared to the control group after 6 months of using the hip brace.

These findings suggest that the newly designed hip brace could be an effective treatment option for preventing hip displacement in children with non-ambulatory CP, and could improve their quality of life. It may also delay the need for surgery, which can be a stressful experience for both the child and their family.

Conclusion

This clinical trial provides evidence that a newly designed hip brace can help prevent hip displacement in children with non-ambulatory CP. This provides an alternative to surgery and could improve the quality of life for these children. However, further research is needed to confirm these findings and assess the long-term effectiveness of the hip brace. If you or someone you know has non-ambulatory CP and is at risk of hip displacement, speak to your healthcare provider about the potential benefits of using a hip brace.

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