Suit Therapy Adeli Suit Alyssa Connifey Doug Eck Josh Egloff Sarah Kibiloski Maria King Sean McBride
Background ● Developed in late 1960s/early 1970s by Russian space program for astronauts to maintain muscle tone in an anti- gravity environment ● Has been modified and used as an alternative treatment for patients with cerebral palsy and other neuromuscular disorders ● “Adeli” comes from the nickname of the prototype called the penguin suit, based on the Adeli Penguin
Treatment ● Consists of a vest, shorts, knee pads, and shoes, connected by a series of adjustable, elastic bands ● Goal: maintain proper body alignment in order to restrict abnormal movement and ROM ● Provides immediate feedback to patient on normal movement patterns ● Suit is worn throughout intensive sessions to: ○ “retrain” the brain using correct muscle movements ○ improve body awareness ○ support weak muscles ○ improve gross motor skills and balance ○ provide normal proprioceptive input to the brain
Rationale ● Research from the Pediatric Institute of the Russian Academy of Science showed that AST stimulates the restarting of the vestibular system’s development ● The vestibular system is a processing center for impulses from proprioceptors ○ The suit provides normal tactile and proprioceptive stimulation to normalize afferent vestibular-proprioceptive inputs to the vestibular system ○ Allows CNS to send out normal efferent signals ○ Muscle tone, balance, coordination, body awareness, and proprioception are influenced
Treatment Sessions ● The original Russian protocol ○ 30 min-2 hours/day, 5 days/week for 4 weeks ○ Massage before fitting the suit ○ Passive stretching of all limb muscles ○ Application of the suit by placing the body into proper alignment ○ Rigorous exercises in the suit ■ Individualized program ■ Walking activities, sit-to-stands, playing with a ball while standing, walking on different surfaces, jumping on a trampoline, and climbing stairs and ladders ● Practitioners must be trained in AST application and treatment ● https://youtu.be/77WIkNdQRKw
Continuing Education ● Company specific ● TheraSuit ○ PT, OT, & other healthcare professionals ○ 5 day, 40 hours - $1,900 ○ Advanced levels - $850 ● PediaSuit ○ PT ○ 5 days, 40 hours, 48 CEUs
Who is it for? ● Originally developed for astronauts ● Use in pediatrics ○ Cerebral palsy ○ Developmental delay ○ TBI ○ Ataxia ○ Post-CVA ○ Spasticity ○ Hypotonia
Contraindications/Precautions ● Contraindicated in patients with: ○ Hip subluxation greater than 50% ○ Severe scoliosis ● Used with precaution in patient with: ○ Heart conditions ○ Uncontrolled seizure activities ○ Hip subluxation ○ Hydrocephalus (VP shunt) ○ Diabetes ○ Kidney problems ○ Hypertension
The Effect of Suit Wear During an Intensive Therapy Program in Children With CP Bailes et al - Pediatric Physical Therapy - 2011 Purpose: Conclusions: To examine the effects of suit wear during an Children wearing the TheraSuit during an intensive therapy program on motor function intensive therapy program did not among children with cerebral palsy. demonstrate improved motor function when compared with those wearing a control suit during the same program. Method: 20 children aged 3-8 years old were randomized Limitations: to an experimental (TheraSuit) or a control (control suit) group and participated in an This study has several limitations related to intensive therapy program (4 hours, 5 days/week the small sample size and lack of blinding of for 3 weeks). PEDI and GMFM–66 were families and treating therapists. administered at baseline, 1 week after intervention and 1 month after intervention.
Comparison of efficacy of Adeli suit and Neurodevelopment treatments in children with cerebral palsy Bar-Haim et al - Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology - 2006 Purpose: Conclusion: To evaluate the efficacy of AST by comparing it Both intensive treatments accelerated the with NDT in children with CP. Gross motor acquisition of motor abilities compared to function and energy cost quantified by normal development. Improvements in motor mechanical efficiency were investigated. skills and retention after 9 months were not significantly different between the two treatments. There was a greater increase in Method: EIHB in AST when compared to NDT. Conclude 24 children, GMFCS Levels II - IV, were that AST might improve mechanical efficiency randomly assigned to the AST or NDT. Both without a corresponding gain in gross motor groups were treated 2 hours, 5 days/week, for 4 skills. weeks. To compare treatments, the GMFM and the mechanical efficiency index (EIHB) during stair-climbing were measured at baseline, after 1 month, and at 10 months.
Changes in Two Children with Cerebral Palsy After Intensive Suit Therapy: A Case Report Bailes, Greve, Schmitt - Pediatric Physical Therapy - 2010 Purpose: Results: The purpose of this case report was to Very small improvements in function were investigate effects of intensive suit therapy on noted in the standing dimension of the GMFM gait, functional skills, caregiver assistance, and and PEDI (Self-care Domain) with decreased gross motor ability in children with cerebral palsy function in other areas. Improved walking speed, cadence, symmetry, joint motion, and posture were found with gait analysis. Method: Conclusion: Two children with spastic diplegia classified at level III on the GMFCS participated. Outcomes Further investigation with larger sample sizes were assessed using standing, walking, running is needed before conclusions can be drawn as and jumping dimensions of the GMFM, the PEDI, to the effectiveness of the program. Finally, and instrumented gait analysis. this program is available at a substantial cost, and the benefits obtained may not be worth the investment.
ICF Model and Suit Therapy Body Structure & Function: Mixed results. Some studies state AST has been shown to improve mechanical efficiency and could possibly translate to decreased energy expended during stair climbing. Activity: Mixed results. Limited evidence to suggest small improvements in gait and posture. Other studies suggested no improvement in gross motor function. Participation: No studies have been published specifically addressing the level of participation after suit therapy intervention. Personal & Environmental Factors: Time constraint, dependant on family support
Impressions of AST Positives Negatives ● Appears to have some ● Not often chosen by parents positive impact on gait ● Not shown to be beneficial at mechanics in an extremely the activity and participation small population levels. ● Appears to have a positive ● Expensive and requires effect on body mechanics at additional training for anyone the body structure and interested function level ● No harmful side effects
Conclusion ● This may not be the best intervention to use clinically ○ Not proven to have an effect on the Activity and Participation levels ○ It is expensive ○ There is limited evidence to support effectiveness of treatment
Conclusion ● While it is true that: ○ It is always good to have additional tools in our ever expanding toolbox ○ It is a unique specialty and we would probably be the only AST specialists in the area
Conclusion ● Partner with local gym ○ There are no documented adverse effects ○ Training doesn’t require a PT degree ■ Less cost for the patient!
References Bailes, A. F., Greve, K., Burch, C. K., Reder, R., & Lin, L. (2011). The effect of suit wear during an intensive therapy program in children with cerebral palsy. Pediatric Physical Therapy, 23(2), 136-142. Bailes, A. F., Greve, K., & Schmitt, L. C. (2010). Changes in two children with cerebral palsy after intensive suit therapy: a case report. Pediatric Physical Therapy, 21(1), 76-85. Bar-Haim S, Harries N, Belokopytov M, Frank A, Copeliovitch L, Kaplanski J, Lahat E. (2006). Comparison of efficacy of Adeli suit and NDT treatments in children with CP. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology. 48, 325-330. Clinical policy bulletin: Suit therapy (2014, November 7). From Aetna Health Insurance . Retrieved from www.aetna.com/cpb/medical/data/600_699/0696.html Koscielny, I. (n.d.). Training for Therapists. Retrieved April 13, 2015, from http://www.suittherapy.com/training_for_therapists.htm Mehl-Madrona, L. (2001, January 1). Treatments for Cerebral Palsy: The Adeli Suit. Retrieved April 10, 2015, from http://www.healing-arts.org/children/cp/cpadeli.htm MyChild. (n.d.) Intensive Suit Therapy for Cerebral Palsy. Retrieved from http://cerebralpalsy.org/about-cerebral-palsy/treatment/therapy/intensive-suit-therapy
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