The treatment of young children with low trunkal tone, as a result of various diagnoses, with dynamic GPS Soft Orthoses – case studies

The treatment of children with a severe level of hypotonus in the trunk is a difficult task for interdisciplinary teams of doctors, therapists and orthotists. The trunk is the pivotal point for the head and the limbs; it must therefore be given stable and have the possibility to be guided in movement. Therefore enabling the child to orientate itself in space, to be aware of visual and aural stimulation, and also allowing the child to interact with the world around him/her.

The authors present this concept for younger children, where the child is being asked to develop his trunk stability actively, within his own capabilities.

The therapists involved had identified low trunk tone as the main problem for their patients. We then carried out joint assessment of the children and decided if the children were suitable for use of the Dynamic GPS Soft Orthosis, and what the aims of the supply would be.

The supply of these children with a Dynamic GPS Soft Orthosis does seem to help improve their trunk stability. This then allows other goals to be attained and the children are then able to improve their motor development. This then leads to an improvement in their quality of life as they can interact with people and their world around them.

This pilot study identifies the need to quantify the results gained by these children through the wearing of a Dynamic GPS Lycra Orthosis.