A family happy with Cranial Remoling Orthosis

Introduction

When a baby is diagnosed with flat head syndrome (positional plagiocephaly or brachycephaly), treatment often includes a cranial remolding orthosis (CRO) — commonly called a cranial helmet.

Most studies focus on how well helmet therapy corrects head shape. However, a new Mayo Clinic study explored an equally important question: how do parents feel about the experience?

Researchers surveyed 242 families whose children received helmet therapy between 2007 and 2022, offering valuable insight into the real-life impact of treatment.

Key Findings

  • High satisfaction:
    Nearly 9 out of 10 parents (89%) were satisfied with their child’s head shape after treatment, and 93% were happy with ear alignment.
  • Minimal disruption to daily life:
    • 75% reported no effect on sleep.
    • 90% said helmets rarely or never interfered with play.
    • 91% said therapy did not affect social activities.
  • Mild, manageable side effects:
    • About 30% noticed some temporary hair loss (less than 1% permanent).
    • Half observed minor skin redness or irritation, but very few needed to stop treatment.
  • Families adapted well:
    • 73% said helmet therapy was not burdensome.
    • 68% rarely felt fatigued managing the schedule.

Why It Matters

Parents often worry whether helmet therapy might disrupt family routines or cause discomfort.
This study suggests that, for most families, the experience is positive and manageable — children continued to play, sleep, and socialize normally, and parents felt supported throughout treatment.

However, it’s worth noting that these results come from self-reported surveys at a single medical center. Experiences may vary depending on the child’s age, helmet design, and follow-up support.

Conclusion

Overall, cranial remolding orthosis therapy appears to be both effective and family-friendly.
Most parents report high satisfaction and minimal disruption, making helmet therapy a reliable and well-tolerated treatment for flat head syndrome.

Still, as with any medical treatment, success depends on individual factors, including early diagnosis, proper fitting, and consistent follow-up.

Clinical Perspective

At GoodDay Prosthetics & Orthotics, we understand that successful care means more than improving head shape — it’s also about supporting families every step of the way.
With personalized fittings, ongoing follow-ups, and family education, our goal is to make helmet therapy as comfortable and stress-free as possible for both babies and parents.

Source

Cherukuri S, Srikumar J, Pazelli AM, et al. (2025). Cranial Remolding Orthosis Therapy for Positional Deformational Head Shape Abnormalities: The Parental Perspective. The Cleft Palate Craniofacial Journal.
Read the full study here