PRESCRIPTION OF LOWER LIMB ORTHOSES IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH CHARCOT-MARIE-TOOTH DISEASE AND THE PATHWAYS FOR THE PROVISION OF THESE DEVICES IN AN AUSTRALIAN PUBLIC HOSPITAL

• Grant number: 24/21026-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: October 01, 2025
• End date: September 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Ana Cláudia Mattiello-Sverzut
• Grantee: Juliana Cardoso
• Supervisor: Marnee Mckay
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Sydney, Australia
• Associated to the scholarship: 22/10786-0 - Use of assistive technology devices in children and adolescents with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease: feasibility study and proof-of-concept, BP.DR

Abstract

The use of assistive technology devices is common in the rehabilitation treatment of children and adolescents with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), but there are many challenges to an assertive approach. Collaboration between research centres in countries such as Brazil and Australia can contribute to a better understanding and standardisation of this treatment. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to investigate which clinical and demographic parameters are related to the prescription of lower limb orthoses in children and adolescents with CMT. Also, identify the pathways for the providing of lower limb orthoses in a public hospital in a developed country. This work was divided into two studies. Study 1, with a retrospective and prospective cross-sectional design, will include children and adolescents with CMT (3-20 years of age), who use and do not use lower limb orthoses. Demographic data, clinical impairment (pediatric CMT scale) and gait biomechanics (spatiotemporal, kinematic and kinetic data) will be used in a logistic regression model to identify parameters related to device prescription. Study 2 will follow the qualitative content analysis methodology, which will use the information obtained from field notes and semi-directed interviews to map, describe and make inferences about the pathways taken to provide lower limb orthoses. Carrying out this work will bring gains to scholarship research in Brazil, will improve the clinical practice of the student and the research team and will also promote benefits to patients and the Brazilian health system.