Abstract
A patient with a medical history of perinatal arterial ischemic stroke which resulted in a diagnosis of hemiplegic cerebral palsy was seen for physical therapy treatment for 16 sessions from 3/10/15 to 5/5/15 at the pro-bono outpatient physical therapy clinic at California State University, Sacramento. Treatment was provided by a student physical therapist under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist. The patient was evaluated at the initial encounter with the 6 Minute Walk Test to evaluate endurance, Peabody Developmental Motor Scale-Second Edition to evaluate gross and fine motor development, 10 Meter Walk Test to test walking speed, Gross Motor Function Measure-66 item to test gross motor function, Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory to evaluate dependence on caregiver for assistance, observation for limitations in functional strength, and parent report on participation restrictions, and a plan of care was established. Main goals for the patient were to improve functional strength, static and dynamic standing balance, independent ambulation, gait speed, usage of right upper extremity and functional independence. Main interventions used were gait training, task-specific training, constraint induced movement therapy, bimanual training and functional training. The patient improved strength, balance, independent ambulation, gait speed, usage of the right upper extremity and functional independence. The patient was discharged to home with a home exercise program to be guided by his parents.