Caleb's Story

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Caleb Playing During Treatment

Meet Caleb

Caleb was very focused on every task we did and the results reflect his hard work! - Karen, Caleb’s Therapist
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Follow Caleb's Story

The Challenge

Caleb has increased ‘tone’ in his left arm when running or concentrating, meaning the muscles would tighten up and make it hard for Caleb to catch and throw! We wanted to not only make this easier for Caleb but also to improve his fine motor skills i.e. the co-ordination of his fingers. To get Caleb’s left side stronger and more mobile was the key over the next 3 weeks.

“Caleb made significant improvements after just 3 weeks” - Emily Clarke, Caleb’s Therapist

The Goals

  • To improve his fine motor skills on his right side.
  • To increase his strength and his shoulder control on his right side.
  • To be able to tighten his shoe laces independently.
  • To be able to throw and catch a small ball with his right hand.

Our Approach

01

Muscle strengthening

02

Repetitive dexterity exercises

03

Bimanual co-ordination

The Science-y Bit

When someone has hemiplegia they will nearly always have a symptom known as ‘learnt unuse’. This is when a person with hemiplegia will always attempt to achieve a task using their dominant, non-affected arm. This is repeated over and over again until eventually they start to forget how to achieve the task with the hemiplegic arm. ‘Learnt unuse’ causes pathways in the brain that send messages between the affective arm and the brain to stop working. CIMT is a treatment that can help reopen these pathways and combat the effects of ‘learnt unuse’.

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As a 9 year old boy Caleb has experienced ‘learnt unuse’ for a number of years which has resulted in a decrease in strength, flexibility, range of movement and generally a reduction in functionality. The casting process coupled with intensive movement therapy takes advantage of the brain's neuroplasticity; to make new connections. During Caleb’s bespoke CIMT programme, the pathways in Caleb’s brain will have been reorganised, increasing his ability to send messages between his brain and his arm. As a result Caleb was then able to improve the strength, movement and general function of his arm.

Karen Leslie portrait headshot

Karen Leslie - Neurological Physiotherapist

The Achievements

  • Caleb can successfully use a pincer grip and can now zip up his top.
  • Caleb improved fine motor skills which means he can easily manipulate small objects in his hands including coins and pens.
  • Caleb improved muscle strength throughout his arm and shoulder which gave him the ability to throw and catch a small ball with his right side only.
  • Improved dexterity and coordination meaning that he can now tie his shoelaces with ease.

The Parents Feedback

"Caleb has improved his in-hand manipulation skills as well as his strength and coordination. Caleb is now able to use a 2kg weight for his strength training." Christine, Caleb’s Mum

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"Caleb is now able to use a 2kg weight for his strength training." Christine, Caleb’s Mum

The Therapists Feedback

"Caleb worked hard in his CIMT sessions and liked to be rewarded for his work with time on the computer. It was a pleasure to get to know his family and be a part of his rehab journey." - Karen, CIMT Therapist

Karen Leslie portrait headshot

Karen Leslie - Neurological Physiotherapist

“It was a pleasure to get to know Caleb and his family and to be a part of his rehab journey.” - Karen, CIMT Therapist
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