Anyone using Free Bed and know Spragg?

[Guest guest]

Hi all-

I was continuing my research on untreated plagiocephaly and came

across a link for what looks like a masters thesis done by

Spragg at Georgia Tech in April of '08 (one of the more recent links

that I hadn't seen yet). Unfortunately, you have to have an account

at GT to be able to access her whole study. I then googled her name

and it turns out she's an ortho at Free Bed in Michigan,

working with plagio and bands. I was wondering if anyone goes there,

and if so, if you could possibly ask for her paper, so that

we can see the full study and results? Here is what came up on the

search:

Title: Natural Progression of Non-Synostotic Plagiocephaly

Authors: Spragg,

Subjects : Deformational plagiocephaly

Cranial vault asymmetry index

Non-synostotic

Untreated

Orthotic treatment

Natural progression

Issue Date: 23-Apr-2008

Publisher: Georgia Institute of Technology

Abstract: Background. Despite having a good understanding of the

causes and treatment for deformational plagiocephaly, the need for

treatment has yet to be determined conclusively. The purpose of this

study was to determine the natural progression of non-synostotic

plagiocephaly in children between the ages of 18 and 48 months. The

study also aimed to determine parent impressions about the current

head shape of children with untreated deformational plagiocephaly.

Methods. A survey and follow-up scan were completed for twenty-two

children diagnosed with deformational plagiocephaly of severity

level 3 or higher who declined orthotic treatment. Subjects were

between the ages of 18 and 48 months at the time of the study.

Cranial vault asymmetry index (CVAI), cephalic ratio (CR), and

severity level were compared from the initial diagnosis scan and the

current scan. Results. Of the 22 subjects, 17 showed an improvement

in CVAI, with an average decrease of 1.6%. CR had an average

decrease of 4%. Parents perceived the head shape to have " improved "

in 14, " stayed the same " in 6, and were unsure of any change in 4

subjects. Parents were " very satisfied " in 11, " somewhat satisfied "

in 6, and " not very " satisfied in 5 subjects. Conclusions. Although

there was a decrease in CVAI, it was not large enough to move

subjects into a non-treatment severity level. 77% of subjects would

still be recommended for orthotic treatment based on their current

head shape. Parents are satisfied with the current shape of their

children's heads despite any asymmetry that may still be present.

Description: Presented at a Special Seminar: MSPO Student

Presentations on April 23, 2008 at the Coon Building, Room 250

Type: Masters Project

URI: http://hdl.handle.net/1853/22061

Appears in Collections: Master of Science in Prosthetics and

Orthotics Presentations of Projects

If no one goes there now, I was thinking I might try to contact her

through email, but thought if someone has an existing relationship

with her already, that would probably work better. Let us know!

Thanks!

Jake-2 (DOCBand Grad 9/08)

Jordan-4.5