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A Collaborative Research Program Advances Care for Children Diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy

A Collaborative Research Program Advances Care for Children Diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy

by | Jul 19, 2018 | Research & Innovation

At Scottish Rite Hospital, our team is dedicated to providing individualized, expert care to each child. The hospital’s Neurology department is focused on providing treatment to orthopedic patients who have related neuromuscular diseases and neurological disorders. Over the years, the hospital has established specialized clinics for children with these complex conditions. Through the collaboration between our trained neurologists and orthopedic team, the patients are able to receive multidisciplinary care to address their specific needs. 

To continue advancing the care and treatment of our neurology patients, the department is committed to ongoing research. Each year, the hospital hosts a two-week research program for children diagnosed with hemiplegic (one side of the body) cerebral palsy. To participate in this research, children meet study inclusion criteria and go through an evaluation one week prior to being enrolled in the program. Constraint induced movement therapy (CIMT) is a form of treatment where the child’s stronger arm is put into a splint forcing them to use the affected arm for all daily activities. The two-week therapy program includes gross and fine motor activities that encourage independence with identified goals. Activities include crafts, making snacks and games. The program also includes the use of the Armeo®Spring Pediatric (an upper limb video game based robotic exoskeleton). As part of the research, our team evaluates the child before and immediately after completing the program as well as six months later. By analyzing the progress of these children, the data has shown an impact from the therapy including improvement in range of motion, function and use of the affected arm. 

Like many of the research projects that take place at the hospital, this program involves staff from multiple departments. Our Neurology team works closely with the hospital’s research occupational therapists, Angela Shierk, Ph.D., O.T.R. and Heather Roberts, Ph.D., O.T.R., to make this a success. Pediatric clinical nurse specialist Nancy Clegg, Ph.D., R.N., has been involved with this program over the years and can see the impact it has made. “The children we see in our clinics and those who participate in this program are in need of specialized care,” says Clegg. “Our neurologists, orthopedic surgeons and therapists are able to conduct robust research to bring more knowledge and better care back to the patients affected by cerebral palsy. The CIMT program is just one of the many research programs that allow us to collaborate and discover innovative treatment options to enhance overall care.” 

Occupational Therapy: Making Daily Life Easier for Our Patients

Occupational Therapy: Making Daily Life Easier for Our Patients

by | May 22, 2018 | Spotlight

At Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, our team is dedicated to providing the best possible care to every patient. At each stage of treatment, we have experts to educate the patient and their family to make the healing process a smooth one. The hospital’s Occupational Therapy department is committed to providing various techniques and equipment to make everyday living easier. We received a behind-the-scenes look of the department to learn more about the important work of our trained occupational therapists and the services they provide to our patients. 

What is Occupational Therapy?

  • The hospital’s trained therapists work with the patients to assist them in learning how to do various activities that occupy their time throughout the day.
    • Dressing themselves
    • Feeding themselves
    • Playing
  • The therapists work with patients of all ages, from birth to 18 years, in the inpatient, outpatient and clinic settings.

Inpatient services

  • Two occupational therapists are dedicated to working with the hospital’s inpatients.
  • The main focus is working with the patients and their families to make sure the patient is comfortable and safe once they leave the hospital.
  • The therapists evaluate the appropriate equipment needed to make activities and everyday living easier for the patient at home.
    • Wheelchairs
    • Bathing equipment
    • Toileting equipment

Outpatient services

  • Our therapists work with patients who have all different types of needs – including patients with upper extremity injuries or congenital conditions.
  • Custom splints are made to help the patient heal or with activities they like to do.
  • Each therapy session is unique depending on the patient and their needs. The therapists evaluate the patients to make sure they have the tools needed for daily life.
    • The use of various devices to increase strength in the arms and hands. The strengthening exercises help to gain motion back so the patient can return to the activities they enjoy.
  • Common activities that might need adaptive devices, include:
    • Brushing hair
    • Putting on socks
    • Grasping tools to participate in play – pencils or toys
    • Bathing equipment
    • Special car seats
    • Transferring equipment

Watch the occupational therapy tour to learn more about the services this department provides to our patients.