The Development of Bodysuit for Body Balance in Children with Spastic Diplegia Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

This study aimed to design a bodysuit for body balance in children with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy and evaluate the effectiveness of the products. Studying product usage needs through in-depth interviews with specialist kyphosis and round shoulder would meet their needs. The result of the physical study of eleven spastic diplegia cerebral palsy children with hypertonia and GMFCS at 1-4 levels were applied to design the bodysuit for body balance that increases the stability of upper bodies, reduces the tilt of the body, and improves kyphosis and round shoulders. The data from the body size study of the sampling were applied to develop the prototype of the bodysuit for body balance for children with cerebral palsy in six standard sizes. Three different stretch fabrics with different pressure and elasticity were used in the different areas of the bodysuit. The evaluation of effectiveness of the product prototype was evaluated by expert physical therapists and revealed that a sample of children with cerebral palsy had no change in the sitting posture score and had increased reach in some directions. However, the samples had qualitative changes in posture while sitting. The body is upright, and they had a better spine elongation. The products can reduce kyphosis and the round shoulder of the samples. However, they cannot reduce the lateral tilt because the weight of the hips on both sides is unequal and still see the instability of the sitting position in the forward bending direction in some of the samples. The result of the satisfaction test of prototypes after wearing the product for 4 weeks through the caregiver of children with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy, showed relatively high scores in function, physiology and aesthetic aspects.