Lycra dynamic splinting

“Get up on own from floor, and on/off chair. Walking is better – faster – can keep up with cousins. Can carry things when walking. Standing is easier. Feel safer in standing; can concentrate on other things – window-shopping. Easier getting in/out of taxi. Don’t go knock-kneed.”

Lycra dynamic splinting is a form of support, made from strong lycra material, which has been found to benefit many people with neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy.

Splints are individually designed to fit the whole or parts of the body and can improve tone, posture, control and patterns of movement. This approach was devised by experienced occupational therapists and evaluated by a multi-disciplinary team in Australia.

A Scope-supported research project in the West Midlands during 1998-2000, found that Dynamic Lycra Splints were beneficial to both adults and children with a range of movement disorders and clinical diagnoses.

It also found individuals with spasticity will benefit from using Lycra-based splinting and that its use has a positive influence on the functional abilities of adults and children, and the level of impairment which they describe.

To attain the best results, it is important that individuals have good support from their family, carers and therapists to ensure they have the opportunities to carry out tasks that help to maximize their potential gains in motor activity and function ability.

For further information

Contact Scope Response for the full research report.

Please visit the Second Skin website at www.secondskin.com.au