The Thera Suit TM is a modified version of the Russian Cosmonaut's space uniform (nicknamed the "penguin"). It was developed by the Russian space programme to prevent the detrimental effects of hypokenesis caused by the weightless conditions of space. Further research and development was conducted by the physiotherapist parents of a child with Cerebral Palsy who created and patented the Therasuit in 2001.

The suit forms an exoskeleton around the child and incorporates a number of elastic straps that place a vertical load or resistance on the wearer.

The suit is worn while performing other therapies and through repetitive exercise, focuses on improving motor development, strength, balance, flexibility, endurance and coordination.

Fitting the suit to the child is a complex and highly skilled task and the during therapy, both the suit and the child are constantly monitored and adjusted to maximise benefits.

A US study of 20 children who had received Thera Suit therapy found ..

"functional improvements occurred in 92% of the participants. Additional progress was made in coordination by 56%, strength by 100%, range of motion by 100%, balance by 62% and movement control by 64%. We noticed a significant improvement in the level of new functional skills learned by our participants during the exercise sessions. In the study group,90% learned to roll independently, 75% learned to sit without assistance,49% learned to crawl, 39% gained the ability to stand independently, 33% learned to walk with assistive devices and 21% gained the ability to walk independently"

Click the thumbnails below to see the Thera Suit in use.