Blog October 30, 2023
Reflections …. APTA Pediatric Academy Conference 2023
After I presented the Framework for the Application of Electric Stimulation for Children at the APTA Pediatric Academy Conference 2023, I reflected on the experience and my beloved profession. I am honored to present this vital training to my colleagues. Electric stimulation is a game changer for rehabilitation professionals working with children and individuals with neuromuscular disorders. TASES uses functional electric stimulation (FES) during a child’s active participation in a functional task, such as sitting or walking. TASES focuses on the use of FES with five fundamental principles. A good evaluation, correct muscle choice, knowledge of parameters, task specificity including timing and motor control, and best use of orthotics. Orthotics are most effective when we balance preserving body structure and active movement for best function and strengthening. It was a big challenge to teach all these principles and include some lab time for best learning in the 2.5 hours allotted by the conference organizers. A clear message came across from me to the students and, in return, from the students back to me.
My message emphasized the use of active strengthening over immobilization to highlight the “new thinking” behind the treatment of children with cerebral palsy and other neuromuscular disorders. A thorough literature search provides the foundation for my approach, which supports the shift to strengthening muscles affected by neuromuscular disorders over weakening them. Electricity helps with this process.
In return, the message I heard from my colleagues was the desire and gratitude for all of us to share our collective knowledge and to teach and learn from each other so we may progress toward better outcomes. The way we grow is together. The way we help the most children is together. Our patients benefit most when we share knowledge and discover new paths together. We need to spread the word and increase awareness about electricity’s potential for helping children with disabilities. Spreading awareness will produce more innovation, help us achieve change, and improve technology. I was surprised by the limited dissemination of information.
Techniques, applications, and ideas serve us best when openly disseminated. Knowledge is power. I serve the children in my life every day and felt the calling to do so early in my teen years. And now, I continue to serve the children and my peers to help us all learn, grow, and do better. I have the privilege and the means to teach, and each time I discover a new effective parameter setting or successful application, I share. If we work together, we will climb higher.
Next steps: Formal documentation of the Framework for the Application of Electric Stimulation for Children so everyone has easy access, and we can evolve and establish more successful evidence-based guidelines. Establishing the Framework will help studies and data collection be more usable, valuable, and consistent for use in research.
Mirav Newman PT DPT