This has been my 5thweek in Louisville! I started the week with attending a multitude of different therapy sessions with another intern. We saw a patient get stimulation on their legs while we played with a volleyball, catapults, and nerf guns in order to work on the patient’s trunk control. Another patient was getting therapy on a treadmill, which includes putting the patient in a harness and then having the therapists move the patient’s legs in a ‘walking’ motion. The idea is that over time the spinal cord will retrain its neurons without input from the brain, aiding in the recovery of a person with Spinal Cord Injury. This idea is basically called spinal plasticity. Anyway, while the patient was walking, certain games were played in order to maintain engagement. One of these was to try and flatten balls of playdoh.
Another thing I got to see throughout the week were some SATco (Standardized Assessments of Trunk Control) sessions for patients with Cerebral Palsy. This was extremely interesting as I also got to see how the data analysis team collects their data. The SATco basically consists of a multitude of tests such as leaning in all directions, response to being nudged, etc. Over time, the SATco will paint a clear picture of how the patient is improving. Another test that was performed was to examine the lungs, which included having the patient blow into a tube-like machine for a certain amount of time, as hard as possible, and to examine their coughs. Unfortunately, I was not able to get pictures for either therapy or SATco.
local coffee shop
At the end of the week we began transcribing certain interviews that had taken place between families and Dr. Behrman. Going into this week, I believe that we will continue to work on this and also get to see the therapies for teens.
outside the Frazier Rehab building
Host family, Anza, and I walking to get ice cream
spicy chicken tenders
Other than the internship, Anza and I explored Louisville and went to the university’s gym. On Thursday, our host family took us to a local restaurant that serves extremely hot (spicy) chicken tenders. These were amazing! Afterwards, we went to Louisville creamery, which is a ice cream store that serves an assortment of unique flavors. Early Saturday morning, our host family left to go on a trip to Florida. I am extremely thankful to have had them as a host family!
Love your photos and your blog insights!