Robotic Solutions in Pediatric Rehabilitation

The rehabilitation of pediatric patients involves unique constraints in comparison to adult rehabilitation. Therefore, the utilization of robotic technology in the rehabilitation of pediatric patients provides unique challenges. Research focusing on the application of robotic technology to pediatric cerebral palsy patients with spasticity is searching for flexible solutions that can address a wide range of patient capabilities. A variety of solutions are being investigated that place robotics in different roles in relation to the patient. Cerebral palsy describes a group of neuro-muscular disorders that are caused by injury to the brain during the brain’s developmental period. Cerebral palsy hinders motor skills and control of movement. According to the United Cerebral Palsy Research and Educational Facility, there are at least 550,000 persons in the United States with the disorder. Furthermore, there are approximately 9,750 new cases per year. Substance abuse and other factors also help increase the chances of the affliction (Matthews and Wilson, 1999; Styer-Acevedo, 1999). Cerebral palsy affects the Basal Ganglia which is responsible for coordinating motion in the muscles. This affects all muscles of the body. The most noticeable muscles affected in children with cerebral palsy are the arm and leg muscles resulting in reduced motor skills, and the tongue which affecting speech and swallowing (Matthews and Wilson, 1999; Styer-Acevedo, 1999). Cerebral palsy is usually diagnosed within the first two years after birth. Therefore, rehabilitative therapy for cerebral palsy patients may initiate shortly after birth. Although there are three main types of cerebral palsy: spastic, athetoid, and ataxic, the most common form of cerebral palsy is spastic cerebral palsy where high muscle tone constrains motion. Rehabilitation for pediatric cerebral palsy patients includes physical therapy, occupational therapy, and interventional medicine such as the injection of Botulinum-A Toxin paired with serial casting. Physical therapy early in the child’s development prevents contractures and help to keep the muscles from becoming weakened or from deteriorating due to lack of use. Pediatric physical therapy differs from adult therapy in that patients often can not (or may not be willing to) follow direct instructions of a therapy routine thus therapy is incorporated in play. Furthermore, therapists must consider the natural progression of fine and gross motor skills in conjunction with developmental delays caused by cerebral palsy as a patient grows from infancy to adolescence.