Hypoxic brain injury improvement induced by coordination dynamics therapy; a comparison with normal CNS development

Electromyogr Clin Neurophysiol. 2006 May-Jun;46(3):171-83.

Abstract

A 13-year-old girl suffered a rather severe hypoxic CNS injury and was given up by the school medicine. Adequate therapy was rejected for the patient by a university clinic with the argument that there were only simple reflexes left. The patient underwent coordination dynamics therapy and could significantly improved; she now can sit, walk, eat, drink, count and speak a few words. During a 3-month intensive therapy, a 70% improvement in CNS functioning could be achieved, as quantified by the coordination dynamics, i.e. a similar improvement as could be achieved in patients after stroke and traumatic brain injury, and in cerebral palsy. The improvements in CNS functioning achieved were compared with changes occurring during development in pupils aged between 7 and 19 years. Similarities could be observed with respect to high-frequency exercising for improving CNS functioning, missing continuous concentration on a certain task, and the strong improvement of the coordination dynamics. In the Method section, the theory is presented of the Schalow coordination dynamics therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Development / physiology
  • Body Patterning / physiology
  • Central Nervous System / physiology
  • Drinking / physiology
  • Eating / physiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia, Brain / physiopathology
  • Hypoxia, Brain / rehabilitation*
  • Models, Neurological
  • Motor Activity / physiology
  • Motor Skills / physiology
  • Muscle Spasticity / physiopathology
  • Muscle Spasticity / rehabilitation
  • Physical Therapy Modalities* / classification
  • Posture / physiology
  • Psychomotor Performance / physiology*
  • Walking / physiology