Randomised controlled trial dataset: efficacy of night casting to increase dorsiflexion range in children and young adults with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease

Brief description

This dataset is an output of a randomised controlled trial investigating the efficacy of night casting and stretching as a means to increase dorsiflexion range in children and young adults with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

The research design included a randomised trial with concealed allocation, assessor blinding, and intention-to-treat analysis. 30 children and young adults with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and restricted ankle dorsiflexion range participated in the trial.  The experimental group received an intervention of 4 weeks of serial night casting followed by 4 weeks of weightbearing stretches. Removable plaster casts were worn for 8 hours every night for 4 weeks. Night casting was followed by a daily stretching program, conducted at home for a further 4 weeks.  The control group received no intervention.

Data was collected on ankle dorsiflexion range, foot deformity, mobility, balance, walking speed, stair climbing speed, number of falls, and other self-reported activity limitations. Outcomes were measured at baseline, 4, and 8 weeks. Data was recorded and stored in spreadsheet (excel) format.

By 4 weeks, serial night casting had increased ankle dorsiflexion range by a mean of 4 deg (95% CI 2 to 6) more in the experimental group than the control group. After a further 4 weeks of weightbearing stretches, the experimental group still had a mean of 3 deg (95% CI 0 to 5) more ankle dorsiflexion range than the control group. Other than reduced time to walk 10 metres at self-selected pace favouring night casting at 4 weeks, outcomes did not differ between groups at any time point. Two minor adverse events were reported in the experimental group. 4 weeks of serial night casting increased ankle dorsiflexion range compared with no intervention, but at 8 weeks there was no significant difference between groups.

This description was drawn from the abstract of the associated publication. For further information and access to the dataset, refer to the associated publication below.