Abstract
[Objectives] In recent years, a larger percentage of children qualify as physically or mentally challenged (challenged children, hereafter) and neck stabilization is a major issue in this population. We performed belt electrode skeletal muscle electrical stimulation (B-SES) in combination with KAATSU training, in a severely challenged child with lissencephaly to investigate treatment safety and how this might be effective in achieving neck stabilization. We present our results below.
[Methods] A patient with lissencephaly was treated twice a week for 15 weeks with B-SES and KAATSU training on an outpatient basis. Using the growth and development stage and Ushijimaʼs (1996) neck stabilization evaluation criteria for children with Severe Motor and Intellectual Disabilities, we assessed our patient based on recorded videos.
[Results] In a challenged child with severe motor developmental delay who was unable to take part in voluntary training, upper body KAATSU training with B-SES led to increased muscle tone and improved neck stabilization.
[Conclusions] B-SES with KAATSU training may be an effective treatment for children with severe physical and mental challenges who lack signs of neck stabilization. However, it will be necessary to study this treatment in a larger number of cases using more assessment methods in the future.
