O&P Research Insights with Dr. Steve Gard

Author: AAOP - The American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists

Join Dr. Steve Gard, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics (JPO) as he meets one-on-one with the author of a featured article to extract the take away points of the research conducted. These 30-minute podcasts will provide O&P clinicians and rehab specialists with actionable knowledge that may be implemented in practice. This podcast is intended for any and all involved with O&P patient care.
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Cranial Remolding Orthosis Study on the Use of a Temperature Sensor to Measure Wear Time
Episode 54
Wednesday, 25 March, 2026

In this episode, recorded live at the 52nd Academy Annual Meeting in Nashville, Dr. Steve Gard, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics, is joined by Scott Thach, MSPO, CPO, LPO, a pediatric-certified prosthetist-orthotist at Shriners Children's Hawaii, to discuss his 2025 JPO Article of the Year centered on cranial remolding orthosis (CRO) wear time for deformational plagiocephaly. While CROs are commonly prescribed for 23 hours per day, his study set out to measure actual adherence using an objective approach. By placing a temperature sensor on the helmet strap and blinding caregivers to the data collection, the research revealed a notable gap between reported wear (about 22 hours per day) and actual wear (closer to 18 hours per day). The conversation explores how increased wear time correlates with improved cranial measurements such as CVA and CVAI in plagiocephaly cases, while results were less consistent for brachycephaly. Thach also discusses the challenges of conducting the study during COVID, the importance of objective data in clinical decision-making, and future research opportunities, including differences between daytime and nighttime wear and the role of conditions like torticollis. Show notes JPO article: Cranial Remolding Orthosis Study on the Use of a Temperature Sensor to Measure Wear Time O&P Research Insights is produced by Association Briefings.