Adding Alternative Therapies to Your Child’s Routine

By Lee Vander Loop CP Family Network Editor Once diagnosed with cerebral palsy, many children receive referrals for traditional therapies such as physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech language therapy. However, parents may not be aware of alternative therapy approaches that are gaining attention and have provided beneficial outcomes for many children. In past blog posts, we’ve defined many of the well known therapies and interventions offered to children with cerebral palsy, including Constraint Induced Therapy, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR). In this post, we’ll outline some of the less familiar therapies you may not hear about from your pediatrician or therapists. TheraSuit TheraSuit Method® was created in 2002 by Izabela and Richard Koscielny, physical therapists and parents of a daughter with cerebral palsy. This method is based on an intensive and specific exercise program. Using various tools and exercises, TheraSuit aligns the body as close to normal as possible. Reestablishing the correct postural alignment plays a crucial role in normalizing muscle tone, sensory function and balance. There are currently more than 245 clinics around world and more than 2,000 trained therapists using TheraSuit Method (also referred to as suit therapy) in their clinics. Although most studies have been inconclusive, one study that involved a modified version of the TheraSuit protocol along with intense physical therapy reported improved gross motor skills and participation but not community ambulation following this therapy intervention. Functional Electrical Stimulation An example of functional electrical stimulation (FES) would be the Bioness L300 Foot Drop System. The L300 Foot Drop System is a FES system that stimulates the nerves in the lower leg, activating muscles to lift the foot, allowing children with foot drop to walk more naturally. The system’s advanced technology gait sensor automatically senses a child’s foot position, walking speed, and changes in terrain. A 2012 study indicated a commercially available FES device was effective for foot drop in those with mild gait impairments from CP. Aquatic Therapy Although not often recommended by pediatricians, aquatic therapy is one of the most popular supplemental therapy approaches for children with neurological injuries, especially cerebral palsy. In a recent 2012 study, researchers concluded that aquatic exercise programs can be useful in improving gross motor function, reducing spasticity and increasing endurance in children with spastic CP. These benefits are not surprising. We all know how relaxing a warm bath, shower, or dip in the pool can be. Anyone who has waded through knee deep water can appreciate the resistance it offers. This resistance promotes muscle strengthening. A study on Aquatic Exercise for Children with Cerebral Palsy, published at the National Center on Health, Physical Activity, and Disability, concluded that aquatic exercise is a creative and unique form of exercise for children with cerebral palsy to develop their endurance, muscular strength, motor skills functionality, and self-image. Pediatric Massage Therapy Unheard of 20 years ago, pediatric massage therapy is gaining increased recognition and is now offered as a supplemental therapeutic intervention in many hospitals and health care facilities. If you’ve ever had a massage, you know first hand the benefits. Why should it be any different for our children?! Massages feel good, are therapeutic, and according to a recent 2013 Canadian study, massage therapy is one of the most common alternative therapy approaches currently used by the pediatric special needs population. In a trial conducted to assess the impact of massage therapy of the immune system of preterm infants, the study concluded that massage therapy administered to stable preterm infants was associated with higher NK cytotoxicity and more daily weight gain and may improve the overall outcome of these infants. Another published work involved the study of twenty young children with cerebral palsy recruited from early intervention programs. The children received 30 minutes of massage or reading twice weekly for 12 weeks. The children receiving massage therapy showed fewer physical symptoms including reduced spasticity, less rigid muscle tone overall and in the arms, and improved fine and gross motor functioning. In addition, the massage group had improved cognition, social and dressing scores on the Developmental Profile, and they showed more positive facial expressions and less limb activity during face-to-face play interactions. Kinesio Taping This therapy, developed in the 1970s by Japanese chiropractor Kenzo Kase, came to the U.S. in the mid 1990s. Better known in the professional athletic world for its therapeutic impact on overused muscles, kinesio taping (KT) is gaining additional attention in the world of pediatric rehabilitation. Unlike standard athletic taping, kinesiology tape is placed in a variety of patterns, depending on the injury. It is pulled to various degrees of tension to create the desired effect and is typically worn for two to five days. Examples of some uses of kinesiology tape include pulling back a shoulder that is hunching forward or reducing swelling in a joint. “There’s no evidence of a long-term or medium-term clinically significant effect,” says George Theodore, Massachusetts General Hospital surgeon and team physician for the Boston Red Sox. However, he says, kinesiology taping “is not harmful and over the short term it can have a beneficial effect” on pain and range of motion. It isn’t clear if the effect is psychological, he adds. In a 2011 study assessing the effects of kinesio taping on sitting posture, functional independence and gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy, researchers concluded that no direct effects of KT were observed on gross motor function and functional independence, though sitting posture (head, neck, foot position and arm, hand function) was affected positively. These results may imply that in clinical settings KT may be a beneficial assistive treatment approach when combined with physiotherapy. Is Alternative Therapy Right for Your Child? When it comes to choosing a therapy regimen for your child, one size does not fit all. As a parent, you understand your child’s unique needs and challenges. If you feel your child’s current therapy sessions are not meeting his or her needs, research new therapy options and discuss them with your pediatrician. There may be ways to incorporate new approaches to therapy that will help alleviate your child’s symptoms. New methods are constantly being developed, so don’t be shy about asking questions and seeking the advice of other parents and your child’s health care providers. With patience and persistence, you will be well on your way to finding the ideal therapy regimen for your CP kid.