New advancements in medical technology also bring encouragement and a much-needed assistance to someone with cerebral palsy or even their families.
Electronic components, robotics, and several other advancements in cerebral palsy (CP) technology aren’t just exciting; they’re also life-changing for people with all types of cerebral palsy and their families.
Three significant developments in cerebral palsy studies that show great promise are described below.
Cerebral Palsy And Robotic Technology
Self-driving vehicles and robotic assistants are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to robotic technology. Within the medical world, significant advancements in robotic technology are being made, and some of them are gaining traction for their ability to support persons with cerebral palsy.
A robotic system designed to assist babies with cerebral palsy in crawling was invented by Dr. Thubi Kolobe and developed by a special team of engineers.
The aim of the robotic system is to assist babies in learning to crawl by allowing them to explore their surroundings while learning.
Researchers can see how the baby’s brain is stimulated while learning to crawl with SIPPC using a transmitter hat.
This new technology is not only getting a lot of positive press, but it’s also going through clinical trials and will be on show at the Smithsonian.
Researchers are now working with robotic technology to assist people with cerebral palsy in walking. Non-ambulatory CP diagnoses may be able to walk with assistance using robotic equipment and gait preparation.
While this technology has not yet been able to assist with autonomous locomotion, they have been able to successfully walk with some assistance.
Robot-based walking aids might also be able to assist those with serious gait impairments move about in their surroundings more easily with further development.
A New Cerebral Palsy Evaluation Tool
Some surgeries can only provide temporary relief rather than a permanent solution.
The ability to know whether a treatment would be successful before working through financial obstacles and putting patients through painful surgeries is beneficial.
A Washington University and Gillette’s Children joint study recently created a new evaluation method that can now assist in making such predictions.
The Walk-DMC evaluation tool utilizes electromyography information to evaluate if advanced surgical treatment can result in substantial progress.
Children with higher Walk-DMC scores before surgery have better results following treatment, according to research, which may assist medical specialists and family members determine whether surgery is the best option.
Apps For CP Sufferers
There are apps for all types of cerebral palsy that have the ability to provide quick access to information and increased accessibility for families of those with CP, assisting with routine tracking of fitness, treatments, mobility aids, and more.
Vest, for example is a cloud app created specifically for disabled people and their families. The app simplifies ways to organize, manage, and share critical health data.
The users can input, exchange, and access vital information with Vest, and this new app allows some patients to be more independent.
The app, built by a special needs advocate couple, can be accessed from any smartphone, making health information available wherever and whenever it’s needed. Technological advances have made therapies, devices and management easier than ever for those living with CP.
