The Influence of Therapy Helmets and Repositional Therapy in Infants with Plagiocephaly
Date of Award
Summer 6-26-2024
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Orthotics and Prosthetics
Department
Kinesiology
First Advisor
Amy Funke
Abstract
Helmet and repositional therapy became more prevalent after the “Back to Sleep” campaign was introduced due to the rise in sudden infant death syndrome. The “Back to Sleep” campaign has resulted in an increase in cases of plagiocephaly. The use of both helmet therapy and repositional therapy has been implemented to help reduce these statistics. The effectiveness of these treatment options is still under scrutiny due to varying results in studies. This study will test if there is a difference in effectiveness between helmet therapy and repositional therapy in 105 infants. Participants will be separated into two groups, helmet therapy and repositional therapy. The participant’s cranial vault asymmetry measurement will be taken at the beginning of the 12-week study. Every three weeks, new measurements will be taken. Once treatment and the study are complete, the CVA measurements will be compared between the two groups in subcategories that include age, gender, and level of severity. The prediction is that participants in the helmet therapy group will have a higher correction rate than participants in the repositional therapy group in all categories in infants with plagiocephaly.