Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 4, 2025
Author Spotlight: Enhancing Upper Limb Rehabilitation in Stroke Patients Through Advanced Robotic and Neuromodulation Technologies
Published on: October 11, 2024
Case report: Intensive rehabilitation program delivered before and after single-event multilevel surgery in a girl
Alessandra Crecchi1, Alessandra Tozzini1, Roberta Benedetti2
1Unit of Developmental Neurorehabilitation, Maternal and Child Department, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy.
Introduction:
Diplegic cerebral palsy (CP) is often associated with musculoskeletal disorders that contribute to worsen walking function. The standard care in these cases is single-event multilevel surgery (SEMLS) followed by rehabilitation. Our aim was to investigate whether a rehabilitation program starting even before SEML could add a benefit with respect to standard postoperative programs considered by previous research.
Methods:
From 2 months before to 13 months after SEMLS (except for the first month after surgery), the participant underwent a motor training focused on ROM exercises with tactile and kinaesthetic feedback. Walking performance, walking capacity, and quality-of-life were assessed before and after SEMLS at different follow-up times.
Results:
Walking capacity improved 3 months after SEMLS (i.e., earlier than in current literature) and walking performance improved 12 months after SEMLS (instead of simply returning to baseline as previously reported), with a positive impact on quality-of-life.
Conclusions:
This case suggests that a rehabilitation program starting even before SEMLS could add benefits over walking function and quality-of-life of children with diplegic CP compared to postoperative programs only.
