Therasuit Edition

Therasuit Edition Two

By Samantha Katel

This suit was originally used for astronauts. Since that didn’t work out so well scientists have found a neurological value. They tested it on cerebral palsy patients and they found great improvement on their muscle use. I have made a few modifications to the suit to make the suit for broader uses. I found out that the therasuit can be used for Sensory Integration therapy. This therasuit connects the tactile sense with the vestibular sense and puts it to daily life activities skills. This can be used for athletic activities like jumping on a trampoline, climbing a ladder or simply walking or stretching!  

What Each Part is For

Weighted Compression Vest

Research has shown that weighted compression vests help establish boundaries in a child's environment. It also helps postural stance and tactile input sense.

Arm Pads and Knee Pads

These attachments help the child activate the joints and be able to bend while protecting the knees and arms from being injured from new exposure, practice and pressure that goes through the body while using the new training process. In a matter of time, the arm and knee pads will not be necessary but one should where it anyway during practice.  This also helps the muscles develop other parts to help the child move and bend etc.  

Vevo Barefoot Shoes

Studies have shown that these shoes can improve postural stance and balance. They make you feel “lighter on your feet”, which can help take the pressure off your feet. Regular sneakers have a soft pillow which make you more aware of your feet from the tactile sense. These shoes disconnect the tactile input in a positive way. These shoes also give extra leverage for walking, jumping, stretching etc.  

Connections

This part does what the name implies. It connects all the elements of the Therasuit and helps speed up the process of training and the pain of the process. The reliever's the child from the pain by straightening the legs and arms, releasing all pressure and stress, (depending on the case).  This does not interfere with the muscle movement. It actually reinforces it by naturally guiding the body part in the correct way.

Cage and Bungee Cords

This part is a little extra accessory for the Therasuit. The child is attached to a few bungee cords. What this does is it restricts and yet allows the child to do the excersise prompted by the instructor,. This is supposed to gradually give the child independence, (muscular wise) and after a few months of training, full independence depending on the case.  

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