Technical devices in children with motor disabilities: a review

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the effectiveness of technical devices used in children with motor disabilities. Method: A systematic search of CINAHL Plus, EMBASE, PEDro, Cochrane Library, Isi Web of Knowledge and Scifinder Web was carried out, covering the period between January 2000 and January 2012. The inclusion criteria were: (1) Studies involving a minimum of five children (randomized-clinical trials with control group and experimental group, clinical trials without control group and prospective cohort studies; (2) age range, 0 to 18 years. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed by the two authors through the application of the PEDro scale. Results: Of the 59 articles identified by the search strategy, 27 articles were considered eligible. The most frequently evaluated devices were ankle and foot orthoses and the most studied pathology was cerebral palsy. The mean score on the PEDro scale was 6.8. Conclusions: The methodological quality of studies needs to be improved and more rigorous research designs should be followed that will allow the effectiveness and quality of movement to be assessed. The satisfaction of the patient and family with the devices should be analyzed in future studies.

Implications for Rehabiliation

• The study adds an analysis of studies to determine the effectiveness of technical devices in children with motor disabilities and proposals for future studies to assess the long-term outcomes and improve the quality of interventions.

• Therefore, this review proposes to identify:

• The main technical device used in children with motor disability.

• Which types of pathology or motor disorders require technical devices to be used and what devices are available.

• The effects on the child of wearing technical devices.

• The measurements used to determine the effectiveness of technical aids.

• Adaptive seating
• ankle–foot orthoses
• assistive device
• mobility limitation
• orthopedic equipment
• orthoses

Acknowledgements

This study has been made possible because of the support from the University of Murcia.