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Effectiveness of Repositioning and Cranial Remolding in Infants With Cranial Deformation

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Deformational Posterior Plagiocephaly
Torticollis
Brachycephaly
Congenital Muscular Torticollis
Deformational Plagiocephaly
Interventions
Other: Repositioning Therapy
Device: Cranial Remolding Orthosis
Registration Number
NCT05917678
Lead Sponsor
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Brief Summary

This study will examine how effective caregiver's repositioning strategies are in correcting an infant's deformational cranial shape, as well as the effectiveness of the use of a custom cranial remolding orthosis for treatment of deformational head shapes. Infants with torticollis will be concurrently enrolled in physical therapy treatment until the torticollis is resolved. A normal, unaffected population will be studied to compare typical growth to the growth of infants undergoing active treatment.

Detailed Description

Infants 2 months of age who have been diagnosed with a deformational head shape will be begin repositioning therapy (and physical therapy if torticollis is present) and be followed at least monthly. At 4, 5, and 6 months of age, if the head shape has not resolved, they will be given the option to pursue treatment with a cranial remolding orthosis. All affected infants will undergo active treatment until the head shape is resolved or the infant is 12 months of age (whichever comes first).

Normal infants will be evaluated at 2, 6, and 12 months of age and will not be enrolled in any active treatment.

All infants will return at 12 months of age for a final evaluation.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
65
Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Repositioning Therapy + Cranial Remolding OrthosesCranial Remolding OrthosisAfter attempting at 2-4 months of repositioning therapy, infants with residual cranial deformation may be treated with a custom made helmet (cranial remolding orthosis) which is adjusted every few weeks to direct skull growth. It is worn 23 hours per day. Physical therapy will be provided, if indicated, for treatment of torticollis. This is a standard treatment.
Repositioning TherapyRepositioning TherapyInfants will be treated with at-home repositioning strategies for their deformational head shape. Physical therapy will be provided, if indicated, for treatment of torticollis. This is a standard treatment.
Repositioning Therapy + Cranial Remolding OrthosesRepositioning TherapyAfter attempting at 2-4 months of repositioning therapy, infants with residual cranial deformation may be treated with a custom made helmet (cranial remolding orthosis) which is adjusted every few weeks to direct skull growth. It is worn 23 hours per day. Physical therapy will be provided, if indicated, for treatment of torticollis. This is a standard treatment.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Final Head Shape10 months after enrollment (at 12 months of age)

Cranial measurements will be used to assess residual cranial deformation in affected infants. A group of unaffected, typically-developing infants will be used as normal growth examples.

Measurements include 2-dimensional measurements (taken at the greater equator of the skull with cranial calipers or a measuring tape): Cranial circumference, medio-lateral dimension of the skull, anterior-posterior dimension of the skull, two opposing diagonal measurements taken 30 degrees from the mid-sagittal line. These will be used to calculate the asymmetry and proportion of the skull and track growth.

Measurements include 3-dimensional measurements: 1) An FDA-approved non-invasive, eye-safe laser scanner called the STARscanner will be used to track measurements throughout treatment. For those who switch to Cranial Remolding Therapy, this scanner will be used for custom helmet fabrication. 2) The 3dMD system will use photographs to create a 3-dimensional rendering of your child's head.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Overall Change in Head ShapeAssessment to occur within 2 years of enrollment closure.

The improvements seen in each of the 2 treatment arms will be compared to determine if one treatment has a greater impact than the other treatment.

Specifically, the difference between the baseline measurements (taken at 2 months of age) and the updated measurements (taken at each study measurement timepoint) will be compared in 2-dimensions and 3-dimensions. The group with greater correction to the cranial deformity would be considered the more impactful treatment method.

Compliance with treatmentAssessment to occur within 2 years of enrollment closure.

Overall compliance with each treatment method will be assessed.

Caregivers of affected infants will be given surveys at each follow up appointment to assess adherence to the treatment arm's protocol. Surveys will include questions specific to the infant's treatment arm, which may include questions such as how long the child remains in a repositioned position before moving themselves, how many hours per day the infant is wearing their custom helmet, and how often caregivers are performing the recommended neck stretches.

No surveys will be given to the typically-developing control group as there is no active treatment for this group.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

🇺🇸

Dallas, Texas, United States

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