The Therasuit Method

The Therasuit Method

  How does the TherSuit works?

TheraSuit Benefits:

When a patient uses the TheraSuit, his/her body will be aligned as close to normal as possible through the system of the elastic rubber bands.

TheraSuit effectiveness appears through the elimination of pathological reflexes and establishing new, correct, and functional patterns of movements.

TheraSuit provides external stabilization to the trunk allowing more fluent and coordinated movement for both upper and lower extremities

aricles related to therasuit method

• Re-trains central nervous system
• Restores ontogenic development
• Provides external stabilization
• Normalizes muscle tone
• Aligns the body to as close to normal as possible
• Provides dynamic correction
• Normalizes (corrects) gait pattern
• Provides tactile stimulation
• Influences the vestibular system
• Improves balance
• Improves coordination
• Decreases uncontrolled movements in ataxia and athetosis
• Improves body and spatial awareness
• Supports weak muscles
• Provides resistance to strong muscles to further enhance strengthening
• Improves speech production and its fluency through head control and trunk support
• Promotes development of both fine and gross motor skills
• Improves bone density
• Helps to decrease contractures
• Helps improve hip alignment through vertical loading over the hip joint 

Contraindications and Precautions

Patients with hip subluxation greater than 50% and/or severe scoliosis should NOTuse this device as it may increase scoliotic curves and subluxation of the hip

Assessment Tools and Impact on PT

Assessment tools that may be used to determine the progress of patients:

Goniometry

MMT

TUG

Berg's Balance Test

FES

Impact on PT

The Therasuit revolutionizes the way that PT intervention can be used on this patient population.

It's effectiveness has been proven to be successful in many aspects of improving patient quality of life.

It has assisted many patients who were not previously ambulatory, in being able to walk.

Precautions:

• heart conditions
• uncontrolled seizure activities
• hip subluxation
• hydrocephalus (VP shunt)
• diabetes
• kidney problems
• high blood pressure

Who Can Be Treated Using TheraSuit?

• Cerebral Palsy
• Developmental delays
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Post stroke (CVA)
• Ataxia
• Athetosis
• Spasticity (increased muscle tone)
• Hypotonia (low muscle tone)

• The TheraSuit is a tool that is used as part of intensive physical therapy program. It consists of :
• cap
• vest
• shorts
• knee pads
• arm attachments
• shoe attachments           

All the mentioned above elements of

the suit are connected with each other through a system of elastic bands

second article

Effect of Modified Suit Therapy in Spastic Diplegic Cerebral Palsy - A Single Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial

improving pictures

Improvements in posture and body alignment during session

with the TheraSuit

aim of the study is to determine the effect of modified suit therapy in gross motor function of spastic diplegic children

Method:

A simple random sample of 30 spastic diplegic subjects in age group of 4-12 years The outcome was evaluated using Gross Motor Function Measure-88 scale before and after the intervention. Suit therapy along with the conventional therapy is given for 2hrs daily for duration of 3 weeks.

Results & Conclusion:

There was statistically significant difference between the experimental and control groups . It is concluded that modified suit therapy along with conventional physiotherapy is effective in improving the gross motor function of children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy

What is the Therasuit?

and who creates it?

first article

Changes in Two Children with Cerebral Palsy After Intensive Suit Therapy: A Case Report

in 2001 Izabela and Richard Koscielny, (Physical Therapists and parents of a daughter with Cerebral Palsy, USA) designed and patented the TheraSuit which is an improved version of the "space suit" that used in Europe as part of physical therapy program for children with Cerebral Palsy.

The Koscielny family registered the TheraSuit at the FDA and it became the first suit in the United State used to rehabilitate neurological and sensory disorders.

Currently it is utilized in many hospitals and clinics in the US as well as other countries including Saudi Arabia.

thank you

Purpose:

The purpose of this case report was to investigate effects of intensive suit therapy on gait, functional skills, caregiver assistance, and gross motor ability in children with cerebral palsy

Case Description:

Two children with spastic diplegia classified at level III on the Gross Motor Function Classification System participated. Outcomes were assessed using dimensions D and E of the Gross Motor Function Measure, the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory, and instrumented gait analysis.

Intervention:

Each child participated in the Therasuit Method, 4 hours a day, 5 days a week for 3 weeks.

Outcomes:

Improved walking speed, cadence, symmetry, joint motion, and posture were found with gait analysis

reference

Richard and Izabela Koscielny. (2008). therasuit method. Available: http://www.suittherapy.com/therasuit%20info.htm. Last accessed 30th april 2014

(2005). therasuit method. Available: http://leapsandboundspeds.com/therasuit-method/1222462. Last accessed 30th april 2014

Bailes, Amy . (2010). Changes in Two Children with Cerebral Palsy After Intensive Suit Therapy: A Case Report. Pediatric Physical Therapy. 22 (1), 76-85

Alagesan, Jagatheesan and Shetty, Angelina. (2011). Effect of Modified Suit Therapy in Spastic Diplegic Cerebral Palsy - A Single Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial. Online Journal of Health and Allied Sciences. 9 (4), 1-3

(2014). Intensive physical therapy program using the Therasuit and Adeli Suit. Available: http://www.advancedrehab-sa.com/en/services.html Last accessed 30th april 2014

Together, We Can Change Today's

"I CAN'T"

into Tomorrow's

"YES I CAN"

Are you new to the TheraSuit method used in physical therapy program!!!

What comes to your mind when you hear the word TheraSuit!!!!

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maha al saaran