Balance control deficits have been indicated to be a primary problem among cerebral palsy (CP) patients. Fabric ankle foot orthosis (AFO) can allow more efficient balance control by facilitating proprioception. The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effect of fabric AFO on balance, compared to a barefoot condition in children with unilateral CP. Twelve children with unilateral CP participated in this study. Their balance ability was evaluated using pediatric balance scale and bubble test. Both pediatric balance scale and bubble test showed significant improvement with the use of the fabirc AFO (p<.05). The fabric AFO could improve functional balance ability, and promote better balance among children with unilateral CP. We demonstrated that fabric AFO contributed to improving balance among children with unilateral CP, classified as Gross Motor Function Classification System level Ⅰ and Ⅱ. Consequently, fabric AFO might be an assistive device leading to the improvement of balance instead of the typical AFOs.

Abstract
 Introduction
 Methods
  Subjects
  Fabric ankle foot orthosis
  Pediatric balance scale (PBS)
  Bubble test
  Experimental procedures
  Statistical analysis
 Results
  PBS and bubble test
 Discussion
 Conclusion
 References

• Yon-ju Sim(Dept. of Physical Therapy, The Graduate School, Yonsei University, Dept. of Rehabilitation Medicine, Wonju Medical Center)
• You-jin Yang(Dept. of Physical Therapy, The Graduate School, Sahmyook University, Dept. of Rehabilitation Medicine, Wonju Medical Center)
• Chung-hwi Yi(Dept. of Physical Therapy, College of Health Science, Yonsei University, Dept. of Ergonomic Therapy, The Graduate School of Health and Environment, Yonsei University) Corresponding author