Affiliations: [a] Division of Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA | [b] Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, College of Allied Health Sciences, Cincinnati, OH, USA | [c] Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Amy F. Bailes, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Division of Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy, MLC 4007, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, 45229 OH, USA. E-mail: amy.bailes@cchmc.org.
Note: [1] This work was completed by Amy Bailes in partial fulfillment of her PhD in Clinical Epidemiology from the Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
Abstract: PURPOSE: To explore the effects of neuroprosthesis use on participation, level of community-based walking activity, safety and satisfaction in children with hemiplegic CP. METHODS: Eleven children (mean 9 years 11 months) with hemiplegic CP Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) Level I and II participated in a 16-week intervention using the Ness L300 neuroprosthesis. Outcome measures included satisfaction and performance with self-selected participation goals (Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM)), level of community-based walking activity (Step Watch Activity Monitor (SAM)), trip and fall frequency (caregiver report) and a satisfaction questionnaire. RESULTS: Significant (p< 0.001) improvements in performance and satisfaction with self-selected participation goals (COPM) were demonstrated. No significant changes were noted in SAM values. A significant (p= 0.01) decrease in trips was demonstrated from baseline to post. Satisfaction with the device was high. CONCLUSION: Results indicate that daily neuroprosthesis use may improve performance and satisfaction with participation goals and reduce trips. No changes in community-based walking activity were noted. Further study is needed to examine response based on GMFCS levels, across geographical regions and between FES neuroprosthesis and a control group.
