Power Walker Helps a Child with Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

Advancements in technology represent hope for children with complex neurologic conditions and their families. Clinical specialists, patients, their families and experts in assistive technology development must work together to advance this technology for unique populations with the greatest need. This paper highlights an excellent example of collaboration, following appropriate research protocol, to study the use of a power walker (the Solowalk) for the first time in a child with cerebral palsy. The result was impressive. A child with cerebral palsy, and associated significant weakness and contractures, who hadn't walked in over two years, was able to walk using this device. This led to feedback from family stating "I have read articles over the years since my grandson was born and dreaming of the day that this might occur. Your group is to be commended." This impressive positive result and heartfelt feedback has fueled ongoing team work to further study this device. We aime to determine which children can most benefit, what modifications to the device would enhance its use and how it can be most effectively utilized to improve function, participation, health and wellbeing.