Why Did MCRC Introduce an Intensive Program?

Traditional therapy usually includes 1-2 weekly therapy sessions that are 30 minutes to an hour each; these can go on for months or even years before the child is discharged. With some diagnoses - particularly cerebral palsy, strokes, and other more severe neurological diagnoses - progress is very slow with the traditional model, and kids can end up coming to therapy for years on end with minimal progress. In recent years, the therapy world has seen more and more research indicating that these types of diagnoses show faster and longer lasting progress with a higher therapy dosage in short bursts with breaks in between. At MCRC, we decided to trial an intensive program of our own with kids coming for therapy 3 days/week for an hour and a half each day for 8 weeks. Three kids with varied levels of function were selected for this program to determine if progress would be faster with this approach. What we saw with each of these kids was that every single one made significant progress with core strength and endurance and faster progress toward goals.

One method used with each of these intensive trial patients was our Universal Exercise Unit (“spider cage”). This piece of equipment allows for a huge variety of activities where therapists can be more hands-off and kids can be more independent. The spider cage uses a system of bungees connected to a belt that helps a child to maintain a position, whether it’s sitting, standing, or even on hands and knees. This allows the child to feel more confident and the therapist to engage more with activities instead of having to hold onto the child as much.

Criteria for Participant:

Patients who show limited or minimal progress in traditional therapy but would lose function without therapy
Patients who have severely involved chronic conditions that do not benefit from receiving therapy only once or twice per week
Patients must have clearance from their doctor for safety
Patients must be able to tolerate at least one hour in current therapy
Patients may be considered after a recent surgery if it would improve outcomes

Intensives Led By:

Kelsey McDonald, P.T., D.P.T.
Jessica Neves, O.T.R., M.O.T.

Meet the Intensives Kiddos

**Hannah**

*MCRC client for 12 years*
*Diagnosis: Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)*
*Lack of in clinic therapy during COVID pandemic resulted in severe postural abnormalities and severe scoliosis.*

Goals: Posture/Wheelchair Propulsion and Transfers/Improved Breathing Pattern

Results:
Scoliosis: Decreased curve, increased abdominal tone & decreased pelvic obliquity
Lumbar Lordosis: Decreased lumbar spine curve & increased core activation