Description of the Pediasuit ProtocolTM

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: PediaSuit ProtocolTM is an intensive therapy with a holistic approach to the treatment of individuals with neurological disorders like cerebral palsy (CP), developmental delays, traumatic brain injuries, autism and other conditions which affect a child's motor and/or cognitive functions. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present work is to describe the PediaSuit ProtocolTM. METHODS: The authors team remained two months observing the care provided in a clinic with physical therapists trained by the PediaSuit ProtocolTM team (USA). RESULTS: The PediaSuitTM is a therapeutic protocol which uses a suit combined with intensive physical therapy and consists of up to four hours of therapy a day, five days a week, during three or four weeks. The PediaSuit ProtocolTM is customized to fit the needs of each child, with specific functional goals, and usually involves an intensive rehabilitation program. It combines the best elements of various techniques and methods, and has a sound rationale based on exercise physiology. CONCLUSION: This protocol anticipates results obtained only with long periods of conventional physical therapy.

Efficacy of suit therapy on functioning in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Adeli suit, TheraSuit, and PediaSuit). 17,18 The differences between these protocols are not clear in the literature, and most interventions use a combination of suits with intensive physical therapy (i.e. 2-4h sessions, 5 or 6d/wk, over 3 or 4wks).…”

“…Suit therapy is considered appropriate for children from 2 years of age to adulthood. 18,19 Adeli suit is a form-fitting garment with different attachment points for straps and bungee cords that offer the wearer support and resistance to movement. 17 It consists of a vest, shorts, kneepads, and specially connected shoes; hooks, rings, and elastic bands connect the pieces of the garment and are adjusted to optimally position limbs and joints.…”

“…These cages can be used in two ways: the 'monkey cage' uses a system of pulleys and weights to isolate and strengthen specific muscles; and the 'spider cage' uses a belt and bungee cords to either assist upright positioning or practice many other activities that normally would require the support of more therapists. 18 Some of the available literature advocates that suit therapy has many benefits such as improving motor function and posture, 18 improving vertical stability (e.g. standing posture), 21 increasing range of motion, 22 normalizing electroencephalography signals, 23 providing proprioceptive input and improving the vestibular system, 15 improving symmetry, increasing walking speed and cadence, 24 improving trunk control, 25 motor function (in all dimensions of Gross Motor Function Measure [GMFM]), 26 and self-care 27 capacity in children with CP.…”

Trends in Neuropediatric Physical Therapy

“…The special clothes usually consist of: vest, shorts, kneepads, and shoes fitted with hooks and elastic cords that help position the body in an appropriate physical alignment to perform daily activities (5). The recommendation of special clothes is justified because usually the child with CP presents axial hypotonia (mainly trunk) and spasticity in the muscles of appendicular skeleton (limbs) (2).…”

Benefícios da Terapia Neuromotora Intensiva (TNMI) para o Controle do Tronco de Crianças com Paralisia Cerebral

“…As crianças acometidas pela PC podem apresentar distúrbios sensoriais, cognitivos, de comunicação, de percepção, de comportamento, como desordens epiléticas, padrões anormais de postura e alteração do tônus postu-ral 6 . Alguns protocolos de fisioterapia intensiva associada ao uso de suits (órtese dinâmica em forma de trajes) têm sido indicados ao tratamento dessas crianças, entre eles, o PediaSuit, o TheraSuit, o PinguinSuit, e o AdeliSuit [7][8][9] . O suit é um traje, normalmente, composto por: colete, short, joelheiras e calçados adaptados com ganchos e cordas elásticas que ajudam a posicionar o corpo num alinhamento físico adequado 9 .…”