Integration of Upper Limb Robotics into Paediatric Intensive Rehabilitation
Jennifer Colegate1, Divyagowri Manila1, Rae Robinson1, Jane Valentine1,2,3,4, Taryn Ambrosi1, Ashleigh Thornton1,2,3, Sue-Anne Davidson1,2,4 1Kids Rehab WA, Perth Children’s Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia2Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, Western Australia, Australia3The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia4Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Abstract
Introduction
Perth Children’s Hospital is the sole tertiary paediatric hospital for Western Australia (population 2.7 million). It provides an intensive, multidisciplinary day rehabilitation program, iRehab, for children and adolescents, based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health-Child and Youth model. This comprehensive program expedites the use of acute tertiary hospital beds by reducing length of stay and readmission rates and integrates robotic equipment within evidence-based treatment programs. This paper aims to establish the characteristics and clinical outcomes of the young people accessing iRehab with integrated robotics used as part of their program.
Methods
The study was conducted by retrospective review of the iRehab service database and data from three robotic devices (Armeo® Spring, Armeo® Senso and YouGrabber®) between September 2015 and February 2023. Clinical data, including changes in rehabilitation goals and outcomes as defined by the Children’s Functional Independence Measure (WeeFIM), Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), and Goal Attainment Scale (GAS) were evaluated for various diagnostic groups.
Results
176 children (87 acquired brain injury, 19 spinal cord injury, 31 cerebral palsy, 15 neuromuscular, and 26 other diagnoses) aged 4-18 years (mean=11.2, SD 3.2) engaged in 205 integrated upper limb robotic programs (mean=1.2, SD=0.5). The total number of robotic sessions was 2,564 (mean=14.6 SD=16.4). Changes in WeeFIM, COPM and GAS scores will be presented.
Conclusion
Upper limb robotics provide an effective modality for facilitating improvement in function for children when integrated into intensive rehabilitation for a variety of clinical conditions.
Biography
Jenny Colegate is a Senior Occupational Therapist in the iRehab service at Perth Children’s Hospital. Jenny and her colleagues integrate the use of upper limb robotics in intensive rehabilitation for children with acquired brain injury, spinal cord injury and other diverse neurological diagnoses. Jenny has a special interest in paediatric neurology and expertise in of robotic intervention alongside goal-directed functional skills training to improve patient outcomes.