Is a Lycra suit/ sensory dynamic orthosis beneficial at increasing postural stability in adults with ataxia?

Report By: Joanne Ritchie - Senior Specialist Physiotherapist
Search checked by Stasia Jezierska - Senior Specialist Occupational Therapist
Institution: Neuro-outreach therapy team, Manchester Royal Infirmary
Date Submitted: 31st August 2007
Last Modified: 31st August 2007
Status: Blue (submitted but not checked)

Three Part Question

In [adults with ataxia] IS [a Lycra suit/sensory dynamic orthosis beneficial] AT [increasing postural stability]

Clinical Scenario

A 59 year old lady with a 22 year history of Multiple Sclerosis where truncal ataxia is a major feature has become increasingly less able to carry out all activities of daily living. Lycra suits have been used in children with cerebral palsy where ataxia is a feature, to improve postural stability. Would the same benefit be gained in adults?

Search Strategy

Medline 1996-13/04, CINAHL 1982-13/04, AMED 1985-13/04, EMBASE 1974-13/04, King's Fund 1979-13/04 (via dialog data star)
The Cochrane Library database was also searched
Medline,CINAHL, AMED, EMBASE, King's Fund [exp ataxia AND (Lycra suits.mp OR Lycra garments.mp OR Lycra splints.mp OR sensory dynamic orthosis.mp OR stabilizing pressure input orthosis)] LIMIT to human adults and English language.
Cochrane. Ataxia and lycra garments

Search Outcome

There were two case study reports. Reading of the abstracts revealed that they used elastic bandages and weights, not Lycra garments on ataxic adults.

Comment(s)

There were no relevant papers that answered the three part question.

Clinical Bottom Line

There is no evidence base at present to support the use of lycra suits/SDO to gain postural stability in adults with ataxia.