Head Control Changes After Headpod Use in Children With Poor Head Control: A Feasibility Study

Purpose: To determine the feasibility of Headpod use to improve head control in children with cerebral palsy classified as Gross Motor Function Classification System level V. Methods: Children (3-11 years) with poor head control were video recorded before and after 3 and 6 months of Headpod use. Head control without Headpod was measured by active time children could hold head upright and number of head bobs in 5 minutes. Results: Fourteen children enrolled with 43% attrition rate. While average active time increased, average head bobs decreased and there were significant improvements in active time, but not head bobs. Active times were higher at 6 months compared with 3 months and baseline. Surveyed parents reported that the changes were apparent, supporting the large quantitative treatment effect. Conclusions: Six months of Headpod use, 45 minutes per day, appears to be feasible, has a large effect on active head control, and merits a larger randomized controlled trial.