Clinical Therapy Services for Adults with Cerebral Palsy: Optimizing Health and Well Being Across the Lifespan

Abstract

In this chapter, we review the state of the science about health and rehabilitation needs of aging individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) and suggest goals, environments, effective techniques, and future directions for clinical management. Health and rehabilitation needs of adults with CP are similar to their aging peers but magnified by the biological and metabolic consequences of lack of physical activity during critical periods of development and throughout the life span. Standardized, validated measures of health, pain, function, participation, and well-being are recommended, as well as a review of the state of the science for effective rehabilitation techniques to address the needs of adults with CP. Synthesis of the literature about children with CP and adults with chronic disability was done to fill gaps that exist in evidence-based techniques and dosing. Recommendations for clinical practice and research are provided.