Impact of Early Orthotic Interventions On Motor Development in Children with Neurodevelopmental Delays in LMICS (Preprint)

UNSTRUCTURED Objectives We investigated the influence of early orthotic device usage on motor function, mobility, and quality of life in children aged 0–5 years with neurodevelopmental delays. We looked at the obstacles and enablers to delivering these treatments in rural areas of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods We conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed publications (2010-2025) from PubMed, Scopus, the World Health Organization, and UNICEF. The studies included randomized trials, meta-analyses, and observational studies on orthotic treatments in LMICs. We performed topic analysis on Qualitative data and meta-analysis of quantitative measures, such as the Gross Motor Function Measure scores. Results Approximately 12% of children in LMICs (around 317 million worldwide) suffer from neurodevelopmental delays, with greater rates in rural areas due to malnutrition and a lack of healthcare access. Trials revealed that early orthotic usage resulted in a 25-35% increase in motor function scores, as well as improvements in mobility and quality of life. However, adoption was minimal (5–15%) owing to excessive pricing and stigma. Community-based distribution methods were viable and increased adherence by around 40% when compared to conventional clinic care. Conclusions Early orthotic interventions offer modest, but significant, improvements in motor development for young children with neurodevelopmental deficits in LMICs. Community-based initiatives that provide these therapies can promote health fairness, but cost and access issues persist. We propose measures to provide cheap orthotic alternatives and increase access to underprivileged rural populations.