Date: 10-19-2023 at 12:00 pm ET
Credit: .1 CEU
Speaker: Bart Van Der Heyden, PT, Filipe Monforte Correia
Level: Intermediate/Advanced
When head stability is compromised, the correct positioning of the wheelchair user’s head and cervical spine is essential for social interaction, access drive controls, upper extremity function and critical functions like breathing, eating and swallowing. Head support systems are often needed for clients with progressive neuro muscular disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, muscle dystrophy, multiple sclerosis and wheelchair users with cerebral palsy or spinal cord injury. Besides a compromised head control, these users often experience limitations stabilizing the trunk. Head support interventions should be used in conjunction with a seating assessment and seating intervention.
Learning Outcomes:
- List at least two different postural tendencies of the Head, Upper Cervical Spine (UCS) and Lower Cervical Spine (LCS).
- List at least two head support interventions for these three different positions of the Head, Upper Cervical Spine (UCS) and
Lower Cervical Spine (LCS). - Identify at least three Head Positioning Zones (HPZ) when using head supports.
