‍The Diagnosis: Spastic Cerebral Palsy 

Treatment Goals: Improve strength and endurance for activities of daily living (ADLs), maintain an independent lifestyle, and increase energy for work

Outcomes after 5 sessions (6-week timeframe): Shed 43 seconds off her 6-minute walking time, increased step length with the right leg, improved upright posture, improved walker management, and increased quality of life and independence.  

‍

About The Patient 

Rhonda, a 55-year-old female with spastic cerebral palsy and an underdeveloped right lung, came to the Healing Innovations NeuroGym seeking a solution to enhance her functional independence.

Although she lives independently, Rhonda primarily relies on a power wheelchair for mobility both at home and in the community. She can ambulate short distances with a posterior walker but only occasionally during physical therapy sessions, which occur twice a month.

Her main goals were to strengthen her endurance and energy levels to maintain her independent lifestyle and perform her job effectively.

The Rise&Walk® Sessions 

A patient’s first and last NeuroGym session relies on Functional Outcome Measure (FOM) Testing to focus on evaluation and how they will respond when using the technology. 

Based on that first session, we decided to focus Rhonda’s Rise&Walk sessions on high-intensity gait training, variable training, dual–tasking activities, and standing as much as possible.

To accomplish this, her sessions in the Rise&Walk focused on evidence-based motor learning principles, namely intensity and variable training. This meant utilizing the Rise&Walk's rating of perceived exertion (RPE) mode to maintain >65% max HR, adjusting speed, stride length, and level of assistance throughout the session.  We also began to introduce variable training, in the form of isometric holds, balancing on a vibration plate, and upper extremity activities. 

The Outcomes

After just 5 sessions, Rhonda demonstrated significant progress. During her final 10-meter walk test, she was able to shed 43 seconds off her initial time.

Additionally, Rhonda achieved greater step length, improved upright posture, and better walker management. We also measured a 5% improvement on the physical functioning subscale of the Short Form-36 Health Survey, which measures the physical health limitations that impact a person's everyday activities and quality of life.

“The Rise&Walk made me feel like an athlete for the first time in my life,” said Rhonda. “I was able to independently dress in less than 15 minutes for the first time in my adult life, hygiene and lower extremity (LE) stretching has been easier… [and] I am sleeping better.”

If you’re interested in learning more about how the Rise&Walk can benefit your patients today, schedule a demo today.