The use of Tone Relieving Ankle-Foot Orthoses in the management of children with cerebral palsy

Hall, VT

Abstract

Tone Relieving Ankle Foot Orthoses (TRAFOs) have been used in the management of
neurophysically impaired patients for some years within the United States and during the
last few years they have been introduced in the UK. The main difference between a
TRAFO and a standard polypropylene ankle foot orthosis (AFO) is that the TRAFO
does not have a flat base beneath the foot, but one with various raised and hollowed
areas. This unique base is designed to hold the foot in a neutral position and provide
support and stability under the dynamic arches of the foot.
The investigation aimed to determine any benefits of using TRAFOs in the management
of children with cerebral palsy in comparison with those obtained using standard anide
foot orthoses. Fifteen children were recruited into the investigation and assigned to one
of two groups. Group 1 were monitored in standard AFOs for six months and group 2
were monitored in AFOs for three months and then in TRAFOs for a second three month
period. The subjects were assessed at regular intervals during the six month period using
EMG analysis to establish changes in the pattern of muscular activity during gait. Video
analysis and force platform data was also used to determine general gait parameters and
record ground reaction vectors.
Results for EMG and the temporal and spatial parameters were unable to highlight any
areas in which tone-relieving ankle-foot orthoses produced more favourable results than
standard polypropylene ankle-foot orthoses. The results suggest that TRAFOs may not
work in the neurological manner previously indicated and may have no greater benefit to
a patient than a standard polypropylene AFO.

Citation

Hall, V. The use of Tone Relieving Ankle-Foot Orthoses in the management of children with cerebral palsy. (Thesis). University of Salford

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Sep 7, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 7, 2021
• Publisher URL: https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.301411
• Related Public URLs: https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.301411
• Award Date: Jan 1, 1999