Home-based circuit training program for an adolescent female with severe traumatic brain injury: A case report

Abstract

Adolescents with traumatic brain injury (TBI) are often discharged from physical therapy (PT) services without transitioning into exertional conditioning programs. Active participation in physical activities with peers at school is essential to achieve a sense of accomplishment and acceptance. Factors such as reduced aerobic fitness and residual gait impairments can lead to limited participation and peer interaction. The purpose of this case report was to describe the impact of home-based circuit training (HBCT) focusing on strength and balance on gait speed (GS), energy expenditure, and functional performance in a 17-year-old female with severe TBI. The participant sustained a TBI from a motor vehicle crash. Although she was ambulatory and independent with the basic activities of daily living following two years of rehabilitation, she presented with activity limitations and participation restrictions at school. The participant performed a 4-week HBCT program developed by a school physical therapist that focused on strength and balance. At the end of 4 weeks, improvements were observed in 6 MWT (change = 79.7 m), GS (change = 0.22 m/s), and the COPM scores (performance score change = 2.8, satisfaction score change = 2.2, MCID = 2). Improvements in functional performance, gait speed, and self-perception of occupational performance were observed following 4-week HBCT. Future clinical trials on short duration, HBCT program for children and young adults with TBI are recommended in order to establish effectiveness of HBCT.

Remotely Supervised Home-Based Intensive Exercise Intervention to Improve Balance, Functional Mobility, and Physical Activity in Survivors of Moderate or Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study

“…As an example, sit-to-stand, side stepping, lunges, squats, tandem walking, and single-leg stance could be included in the exercise intervention (Multimedia Appendix 1). These specific exercises were chosen because they were included in previous programs targeting dynamic balance in TBI survivors [5,10,20-23]. Exercises will be completed 1 minute at a time, for a total of 10 minutes per specific exercise.…”

“…Physical rehabilitation professionals, such as physiotherapists, can influence the recovery of these deficits [9,10], which may positively influence daily function [7]. Traditional face-to-face outpatient physiotherapy sessions are usually completed in-clinic, in-person with a therapist; however, this option is not always accessible to the affected individual.…”

“…To facilitate neuroplasticity, increasing patients’ daily physical activity participation and the number of exercise repetitions they perform are key factors [19], and must be included in any home-based exercise program. Most effective exercise programs for balance, functional mobility, and physical activity for TBI survivors range between 16 and 20 sessions completed in 4 to 6 weeks [10,20-23]. These exercise programs were delivered face-to-face or as a home program without remote supervision.…”

Mapping global evidence on strategies and interventions in neurotrauma and road traffic collisions prevention: a scoping review

“…Strategies and interventions that addressed only emotional rehabilitation were described in three HIC studies and included cognitive behavioural therapy, telephone counselling and a form of psychotherapy carried out by lay workers [79][80][81]. Physical rehabilitation was discussed in two HIC studies using exercise therapy and home-based circuitry training [82,83].…”

Mapping global evidence on strategies and interventions in neurotrauma and road traffic collisions prevention: A scoping review

“…Strategies and interventions that addressed only emotional rehabilitation were described in three HIC studies, and included cognitive behavioural therapy, telephone counselling and a form of psychotherapy carried out by lay workers [79,80,81]. Physical rehabilitation was discussed in two HIC studies using exercise therapy and a home-based circuitry training [82,83].…”