An international multidisciplinary group of healthcare professionals and researchers participated in a consensus conference on the management of cerebral palsy, convened by the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics. Participants reviewed the evidence and considered contemporary thinking on a range of treatment options including physical and occupational therapy, and medical, surgical and orthotic interventions. The quality of many of the reviewed papers was compromised by inadequate reporting and lack of transparency, in particular regarding the types of patients and the design of the interventions being evaluated. Substantial evidence suggests that ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) that control the foot and ankle in stance and swing phases can improve gait efficiency in ambulant children (GMFCS levels I-III). By contrast, little high quality evidence exists to support the use of orthoses for the hip, spine or upper limb. Where the evidence for orthosis use was not compelling consensus was reached on recommendations for orthotic intervention. Subsequent group discussions identified recommendations for future research. The evidence to support using orthoses is generally limited by the brevity of follow-up periods in research studies; hence the extent to which orthoses may prevent deformities developing over time remains unclear. The full report of the conference can be accessed free of charge at www.ispoint.org.

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This editorial serves as the introduction to the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists State-of-the-Science Conference Proceedings covering the subject of upper-limb prosthetic control strategies. The purpose of the introduction is to orient consumers of the Proceedings regarding the breadth of its contents. Specifically, the conference centered about a systematic literature review comparing benefits of myoelectric and body-powered upper-limb prosthetic control options. The introduction lists the various perspectives such as clinical, engineering, and end-users represented at the face-to-face conference. It then introduces larger topics discussed by the conference participants, such as the traditional manner in which upper-limb prosthetic control strategies are introduced as well as viewpoints regarding standard of care.