Files and links (1)
Free to read and download, Open Access
Background: Children with cerebral palsy (CP) have varying impairments of motor control and muscle tone, impacting functional mobility. One physical therapy intervention for children with limited functional mobility is utilizing functional electrical stimulation (FES) as an intervention to facilitate movement. FES cycling and FES assisted tasks are becoming more readily studied and utilized as an intervention for this population of patients. To date, there are few studies that evaluate the use of FES interventions combined with land based interventions in children with spastic quadriplegic CP. Purpose: Discuss the use of FES cycling and aided functional activities as an intervention for a pediatric patients with spastic quadriplegic CP. Intervention: During a four-week timeframe, a five-year-old boy with spastic quadriplegic CP, participated in physical therapy sessions one time per week utilizing FES cycling and FES assisted functional activities and one time per week utilizing adaptive cycling and non-FES assisted activities. The RT300 FES cycling machine was utilized, as well as the portable SAGE controller component of the RT300 for functional tasks of supine bridging, sit to stand, and static standing. Outcome Measures: Data points from the RT300 were utilized to track objective changes between each session of FES cycling. Qualitative data comparing the level of physical assistance required with each functional activity was utilized to track changes between FES and non-FES sessions each week. Discussion: FES cycling and FES assisted activities may provide feasible and well-tolerated physical activity interventions for children with spastic quadriplegic CP. A multi-modal intervention approach with FES and non-FES activities may provide variety and opportunities for motor learning in the pediatric setting.