Introduction: Compression garments are made-to-measure and fit the body tightly. It is considered that they offer external supporting effect, that helps maintain upright posture against gravitation, produce beneficial stretching of soft tissues and improve movement patterns. The contact of the garment with the skin enhances proprioceptive input by stimulating mechanoreceptors located in the skin. Purpose: The main purpose of thesis is to review studies in order to verify the effects of compression garments on the posture and movement of children with cerebral palsy and to determine therapy protocols of compression garments. Methods: The literature review included studies based on inclusion criteria. Studies were chosen from databases: MEDLINE, Cohrane Library, ScienceDirect and Wiley Online Library. Levels of evidence in studies were rated with SIGN grading system, quality of included randomised controlled trials was also rated with PEDro scale. Results: Literature review included 12 studies, 4 were randomised controlled trials. Two studies evaluated immediate effects of the compression garment, ten short term effects measured with compression garment on, six short term effects measured without compression garment and two long-term effects. Most significant results were found when evaluating short term effects measured with compression garment on. In four out of five studies that evaluated effect on gait, results were significant, that was also the case in four out of five that evaluated effect on movement of upper limb. One out of two studies had effect on postural control, and also one out of two studies had effects on gross motor functions. Discussion and conclusion: It seems compression garments have positive effect on gait and upper and limb movement in children with cerebral palsy, however further studies of higher quality are needed in this field. Evidence suggests that they have more effect on children with mild form of cerebral palsy, effect on the children with severe form is unknown. Which type of cerebral palsy benefits most is also not known. They are most effective when worn, carryover effects are small. Difficulties remain with compliance in wearing compression garments.
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