Physical Therapy with Intensive Therapy Program

Intensive Therapy (aka intensive integrated therapy or intensive integrated physical therapy) offered at Neu-Wellness Institute is structured according to the latest scientific studies that confirmed one very important fact - intensive therapy works. It needs to be mentioned, however, that a true intensive therapy program is not merely doing the same exercise over and over again, but rather is a structured approach to physical activity with consideration to person's individual cycles of progressive overload, fatigue and recovery.

Research Supporting Intensive Therapy

Koscheyev and Leon have completed an unpublished pilot study at the University of Minnesota on intensive therapy. This study consisted of 6 adults with CP or stroke who underwent 3 weeks of intensive therapy using suit therapy. Therapy was 5 days per week for 2 hours per day. The subjects, caregivers and therapists completed a questionnaire revealing clinical improvements in motor skills, emotion, stamina and speech. Motion analysis revealed less variability in walking, improved movement of paralyzed arm, and improved upright posture during gait activities in corresponding patients. At a 4-week follow-up, all results were maintained.

Another study was done by Tsorlakis, et al in 2004. This study examined the effect of neurodevelopmental treatment (NDT) and the differences in its intensity on gross motor function of children with CP. 34 children with mild to moderate spasticity and hemiplegia, diplegia, or tetraplegia were randomly assigned to two groups: group A underwent NDT twice a week and group B five times a week, each for 16 weeks. Using the GMFM before and after intervention, the study found that there was a significant improvement of both groups after intervention. The study also found that the children in group B performed better and showed significantly greater improvement than those in group A. Overall, the results of the study support the effectiveness of NDT and underline the need for application of the intensive therapy treatment.

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