CP Interventions

 

1.  Suit Therapy-  Suit therapy is a 'suit' that includes a vest, shorts, kneepads, and shoes. The pieces are laced together with bungee-type cords which are adjustable.  These cords apply varying degrees of tension to a child’s different muscle groups. By increasing the tension in one area, a child's muscles are given the strength necessary to perform certain exercises.  In many ways, suit therapy is much like working out at the gym with weights.

 

2.  Hippotherapy- Therapy that uses the multidimensional movement of the horse to treat people who have some sort of movement dysfunction.   Treatment takes place in a controlled environment and uses the horse's walk, which is rhythmic and repetitive.  The way the client's body moves while on the horse is similar to what the human pelvis experiences while walking.  The therapist can then grade the degree of sensory input and use this movement in conjunction with other treatments to achieve results.  Hippotherapy improves balance, posture, mobility, and function.  It is also associated with psychological, cognitive, behavorial and communicative functions. 

3. HBOT (hard and soft chamber)-  Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy is described as the use of oxygen at a higher than atmospheric pressure.  Patients undergoing this type of therapy get into an enclosed chamber for numerous sessions.  This oxygen is said to stimulate the brain and help with healing.  As a result, Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is said to improve cognitive and social function in children with chronic brain injury.

 

4.  LiteGait Therapy:  A gait training device that simultaneously controls weight bearing, posture, and balance over a treadmill or over ground. It provides proper posture, reduces weight bearing, eliminates concerns for balance, and facilitates the training of coordinated lower extremity movement. It also allows the therapist to manually assist the legs and pelvis to achieve proper gait patterns.  It can be used with a harness, or as the patient progresses, without one.

 

5. Dietary Considerations (Nutrition/Herbal Supplements/Omega 3)- The Ketogenic Diet is used by many who have CP.  It is a very strict diet that is high in fat and low in protein and carbohydrates.  Gluten and Casein Free Diets are also used along with supplements like Omega 3- to stimulate brain development. 

 

6.  Patterning -  The child lies on a table while others move his/her arms and legs in a way that is said to stimulate brain activity.

 

7.  Masking - A small plastic mask that fits over the nose and mouth.  Patients mostly take in their own recycled breath as the bag balloons and shrinks. The Doman organization (Iahp) says the exercise funnels more oxygen to an injured brain. The mask is worn by some- up to 40 times a day.

 

8.  Brachiation – swinging from a bar or vertical ladder.

 

8.  Sensory Integration Therapy- Therapy that helps children with CP absorb and process sensory information.  Therapies include stimulating touch sensations and pressures which ultimately improves balance and steady movement.. 

9.  Massage, Chiropractic, Rolfing, Acupuncture-  Chiropractic care may help deal with muscle spasms, seizures, and leg and arm problems associated with CP.  The theory behind chiropractic healing is that the brain and central nervous system control all aspects of the body’s functioning.  Many believe by healing the central area around the spine other parts of the body can become normalized.
12.Surgical Intervention:  Surgery may sometimes improve muscle development and reduce spasticity in the legs of children with CP.  (Tight heel cord/lengthen tendon) (Cut nerve fibers/relieve spasticity in legs and hips) (Cut tendon/improve mobility)

 

13. PERCS- percutaneous myofacial lengthening-  PERC or Percutaneous Muscle Lengthening procedure involves making small incisions along the tendons of the leg muscle.  The procedure takes about an hour and the hope is that spasticity will be loosened and walking will be easier for children with CP.

 

14. Drug Therapy:  Drugs may be prescribed to prevent or control seizures associated with CP and/or to help reduce spasticity.  Drugs include Tegretol, Dilantin and Phenobarbital (for seizures) or Diazepam, Baclofen, and Dantrolene (for spasticity).