Cranial Orthotic Device Versus Repositioning Techniques for the Management of Plagiocephaly: the CRANIO Randomized Trial

This is a prospective randomized controlled trial with the goal of recruiting 226 participants. The participants will be between the ages of 4-7 months and will be randomized into two groups: Treatment group A, which will provide treatment using cranial orthotic devices (CODs) ; and Treatment group B, which will provide treatment using repositional techniques and neck stretching exercises. These participants will be offered enrollment if they have deformational molding with CVA greater than 6 mm and/or CI> 90%.

Asymmetric plagiocephaly is defined by cranial vault index (CVA). CVA is the difference between two diagonal cranial diameters (CVA= Longer diagonal-shorter diagonal). Cranial diameters are measured from orbitale superius suture to orbitale superius rear (see Appendix 1). Normal CVA is <6mm, mild CVA is 6-10mm, moderate CVA is 11-15mm, and severe CVA is >15mm. Brachycephaly is defined by the cephalic index (CI). This measurement is the width/length of cranium x100. Length of cranium is measured from glabella to opisthocranion and width is measured from eurion to eurion. Normal CI is 75-90%, mild brachycephaly is 90.1-95%, moderate brachycephaly is 95.1-100%, severe brachycephaly is >100%. Currently, repositioning exercises and helmeting therapy are both options given to the parents as there is no consensus on preferred standard of care. Once the parents have made the decision, the study investigators will monitor the patient and change therapy if there is no response to treatment or if the parents decide they would like to change therapies.

The randomization will be conducted by using a system created by the USF Department of Biostatistics. It involves a covariate adaptive randomization so that the patients will continue to be randomized throughout the trial but still allowing for covariates. Covariates for this study will be :

• type of deformity - Isolated plagiocephaly (CVA >6; 75 < CI < 90), isolated brachycephaly (CVA<6; CI > 90), and mixed brachy/ plagiocephaly (CVA > 6; CI > 90)
• severity of deformity - a CVA of 10 mm would be compared to another CVA of 10mm

Once families consent for their child to be a participant, basic demographic information will be collected. Study investigators will also collect data on developmental delay. Participants will be randomized by the physician to ensure appropriate grouping into each of the above mentioned covariates. The participants'' families will subsequently be notified the same day of the results of randomization into Treatment Group A or Treatment Group B. Both treatments are currently equally used in plagiocephaly, so there is no harm to the patient in being selected for one group versus another. The physician will re-evaluate the patients at 3 months, and if no progress is made , or if the parents are unhappy with the randomized form of treatment, the parents will have the option of switching to another group.

Potential adverse outcomes of the treatments themselves are listed as follows:

Treatment Group A (Cranial Orthotic Devices): Skin irritation due to helmeting

Treatment Group B: Pain caused by inappropriate technique in exercises

Study consent forms will include these and any other potential adverse outcomes, with a direct line to our office for notification. Benefits include correction of the plagiocephaly, and will be explained to the parents as the goal of treatment. All adverse outcomes will be reported to the IRB. Of note, these outcomes have yet to be witnessed by our staff despite years of treating patients with these methods.

Once randomized and selected, Treatment Group A will be fitted for CODs and will undergo monthly adjustments by a licensed cranial orthotist at West Coast Brace and Limb. This is standard of care for plagiocephaly. Monitoring of the patient's use of the helmet will be the responsibility of the parents, with goal of treatment to be 23 hours per day. The orthotist will have no knowledge of whether patients are enrolled in the study versus not, and will be conducting the normal responsibilities for their job. Data that is collected will be the same for all patients regardless of study enrollment. The principal study investigator, Dr. Ricalde, will be the only person with knowledge and access to the data collection for study patients during these visits.

Treatment Group B will be asked appropriate questionnaires by FCI staff and be encouraged to perform at-home repositioning techniques and neck stretching exercises. If the patient has any concerns they will be asked to come in for evaluation by a licensed physical therapist. This is the standard of care for plagiocephaly. The physical therapist will have no knowledge of whether patients are enrolled in the study versus not, and will be conducting the normal responsibilities for their job. Data that is collected will be the same for all patients regardless of study enrollment. Dr. Ricalde will be the only person with knowledge and access to the data collection for study patients during these visits.

The physical therapist and the orthotist will both be blinded to study participants, but true blinding of the treatment is not possible as the treatments require some knowledge by the parents. Initially, data will include a health questionnaire to screen for sex and developmental delay , as well as having initial CVA and CI measurements via STAR Scanner device, a standard device used by orthotists using laser light that has no harmful effects to the patient. In addition to initial measurements, patients will have measurements taken monthly (CVA and CI) by the cranial orthotist. All patients will receive photos, Star Scanner measurements, and questionnaires A and C at 6, 12, 24 months to evaluate treatment progression. Questionnaires will be administered to parents to assess satisfaction at 6, 12, 24 months. The option to switch treatment will be conducted at 3 months.