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Activity-Based Restorative Therapy Promotes Progression from Asymmetry to Symmetry in Posture and Gait in a Child with Chronic, Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury

Children Journal

Incomplete spinal cord injuries in pediatrics and adults can lead to asymmetric motor impairments exhibiting as asymmetries of posture and gait. Recently, rehabilitation guidelines for adults with neurologic injuries have focused on gaining a functional gait pattern as measured by speed and distance, even if asymmetry deficits persist. Activity-based restorative therapies take advantage of activity-dependent neuroplasticity to change an individual’s neuromuscular capacity. This is a report of an ambulatory child with chronic ISCI presenting with significant postural and gait asymmetries who enrolled in an ABRT program. Across 79 activity-based restorative therapy sessions, the child gained symmetry during sitting, standing, and walking.

This article was authored by:

  • Laura Leon Machado, PT, DPT, ATP
  • Kathryn Lucas, PhD, PT, DPT, SCS, OCS, CSCS
  • Andrea L. Behrman, PhD, PT, FAPTA

Read the Complete Published Article in Children

Posted in Pediatric Publication, Publications