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Journals / Turkish Journal of Kinesiology / 2026 / Volume: 11 Issue: 5

How the use of ankle foot orthoses affects spinal posture and balance in children with cerebral palsy?

Tamer Çankaya(BOLU ABANT IZZET BAYSAL UNIVERSITY)0000-0002-0871-2470
Seda Ayaz Taş(Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal Üniversitesi)0000-0002-2778-0065
Muhammed Abdullatif Alsairavan(BOLU ABANT IZZET BAYSAL UNIVERSITY)0009-0007-9925-3911
Pages
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Publication Date
2025-10-30
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

While it improves balance skills, it does not affect lower extremity functional skills.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Evidence on the effect of Ankle Foot Orthoses (AFO) on spinal posture which is very important for postural control, is insufficient.
📊
Key Findings & Data:This study was conducted using a repeated-measures design. 25 children with CP aged 6-17 years were included.
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Conclusion & Impact:While it improves balance skills, it does not affect lower extremity functional skills.
🔬Design:Research Article
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Cerebral palsy · posture · spinal mouse

Abstract

Evidence on the effect of Ankle Foot Orthoses (AFO) on spinal posture which is very important for postural control, is insufficient. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of ankle foot orthoses in spinal posture, balance and lower extremity functional skills in children with Cerebral Palsy (CP). This study was conducted using a repeated-measures design. 25 children with CP aged 6-17 years were included. Children were classified according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), Manual Skills Classification System (MACS) and Communication Function Classification System (CFCS). Spinal postures with Spinal Mouse (SM), balance and lower extremity functional skills were evaluated using the Pediatric Berg Balance Scale and Pediatric Functional Reach and Timed Up & Go Test twice with ankle foot orthoses and barefoot. There was significance difference between lumbar (p=0.04) and total spine (p=0.05) angulations at upright position in sagittal plane barefoot and with ankle foot orthoses measurements. In frontal plane, there was a significance difference between two measurements sacrum-hip (p=0.00), thorax (p=0.004), lumbar (p=0.005) and total spine (p=0.002) angulation degrees at left lateral flexion position. Similarly, thorax (p=0.02), lumbar (p=0.012) and total spine (p=0.017) angulation degrees at right lateral flexion position. Also, the statistically difference was found on Pediatric Berg Balance Scale (p=0.008). Ankle foot orthoses provides smooth spinal posture in sagittal and frontal planes and increase in spinal mobility. While it improves balance skills, it does not affect lower extremity functional skills.

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Cite This Article

Çankaya, T., Taş, S. A., Alsairavan, M. A. (2025). How the use of ankle foot orthoses affects spinal posture and balance in children with cerebral palsy?. Turkish Journal of Kinesiology, Volume: 11 Issue: 5. https://doi.org/10.31459/turkjkin.1737820

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