Treatment of functional chronic stooped posture using a training device and behavior therapy. A case report

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Physical Therapy
• Developmental Disabilities

Background:

• Functional posture and gait problems present clinical management challenges due to difficulties in providing real-time feedback and potential secondary personal gains.
• Existing treatments often struggle to address the complex interplay of physical and psychological factors in chronic posture and gait abnormalities.

Observation:

• A client with developmental disabilities exhibited a long-standing history of posture problems and secondary gait pattern abnormalities.
• The client's condition was compounded by the inherent difficulties in providing immediate corrective feedback during functional activities like walking and standing.

Findings:

• An inexpensive, novel posture training device was developed and utilized for intervention.
• Thirty-six brief training sessions, integrated with a supportive daily living environment, were administered to the client.
• Significant improvements in the client's posture and gait were observed following the intervention period.

Implications:

• This approach offers a cost-effective solution for managing functional posture and gait issues, particularly in individuals with developmental disabilities.
• The findings suggest that targeted, device-assisted training, alongside environmental support, can effectively address complex motor control problems.
• Further research could explore the broader applicability of this training device across diverse patient populations with similar functional impairments.