Evidence Based Practice

State of the Evidence: Intervention Effectiveness in Children with Cerebral Palsy

March 26, 2020 by Elena Noble, MPT
A therapist helps a young girl into a gait trainer

In 2013, Iona Novak and her team put together one of the most comprehensive evidence-based overviews of pediatric interventions. With over 200 systematic reviews performed since then, this evidence update adds strength and definition to recommended interventions for children with cerebral palsy.

Evidence Based Practice Evidence Update: Clinical Practice Guideline to Improve Locomotor Function in Neurorehab February 25, 2020 by Elena Noble, MPT
man walking in the Rifton E-Pacer
New evidence in neurorehab points to the importance of intensive overground walking opportunities for individuals recovering from chronic stroke, TBI and SCI.
Evidence Based Practice Stabilizing the Pelvis with the Rifton Pelvic Harness February 18, 2020 by Lori Potts, PT
the pelvic harness on the Rifton Activity Chair
The Activity Chair pelvic harness is more effective than a seatbelt or abductor for securing the pelvis and enabling functional sitting.
PT/OT Teaching Weight Acceptance with the Rifton Activity Chair January 07, 2020 by Elena Noble, MPT
a girl sitting on a Rifton Activity Chair washing her hands
Beyond the comforts of the sofa or the academics of a classroom, sitting is a learning position – for motor skill building. For those with disabilities that limit standing and walking opportunities, this means engaging in seated postures and activities that challenge core stability, endurance, trunk and head control. And the start of the learning process always begins with transferring out of a...
PT/OT P-PAS, Adaptive Equipment and You December 03, 2019 by Sue Cecere PT, MHS
young man using a Rifton TRAM with a caretaker
The Posture and Postural Ability Scale or P-PAS is a tool that can be used to assess posture, postural ability and the quality of posture in prone, supine, sitting and standing positions. Posture, in this context, refers to the anatomical alignment of body parts in relationship to each other and the environment.
PT/OT SATCo, Adaptive Equipment and You November 18, 2019 by Sue Cecere PT, MHS
boy sitting on Rifton Activity Chair with caretaker
SATCo is a valuable tool to help clinicians determine just where a client needs trunk support in order to engage in a task or activity. The work of Butler et al. demonstrated the validity of the tool and its ability to detect trunk weakness and postural control challenges. This approach to assessing the trunk is a paradigm shift.
Tips & Advice Guidelines for Functional Use of the Pacer Gait Trainer Part I October 07, 2019 by Elena Noble, MPT
girl using Rifton Pacer
The Pacer gait trainer is a walking device used across pediatric settings and adult rehabilitation settings to support individuals with disabilities in upright postures and ambulatory activities. With the appropriate supports in the gait trainer, independent mobility becomes a possibility. Each Pacer accessory (or prompt) adjusts to accommodate any positioning need or is otherwise easily removed to...
PT/OT Improving Rehabilitation Prospects with the E-Pacer September 10, 2019 by Linda Rusiecki PT, DPT, CBIS
Man using a Rifton E-Pacer
Individuals hospitalized due to stroke or brain injury have one over-arching goal: to return home and into the community again. Unfortunately, many individuals with lasting debility require placement in long-term care or assisted living instead. This isolation and loss of independence can be devastating to patients and families. Because independent walking is a primary predictor of whether a patient...
Evidence Based Practice Evidence Update: Stretching and Resistance Exercise in Children with CP August 12, 2019 by Elena Noble, MPT
girl in green Rifton Pacer and caregiver
Improved joint range of motion (ROM) and strength certainly contribute to better functional outcomes in children with cerebral palsy (CP), but is stretching and progressive resistance exercise an adequate intervention to achieve the end? Previous research shows that children with CP have shorter hamstring muscles than their peers. A short or spastic hamstring muscle contributes to gait deviations, and...
Tips & Advice Pacer Prompt Reduction July 16, 2019 by Lori Potts, PT
a boy in a Rifton pacer with prompts
See also: Part 2: Prompt Reduction Strategies. Using the Rifton Pacer’s full range of adjustment possibilities will help you meet goals for mobility and activity. Individuals who cannot bear weight fully through their lower extremities, or need prompting for alignment need appropriately positioned prompts and supports. Motor skills acquisition and strength building are best achieved when an...
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