World Cerebral Palsy Day 2024: Breaking Boundaries and Creating Opportunities

People across the globe mark October 6 as World Cerebral Palsy Day (World CP Day) to celebrate the achievements, resilience and diversity of those living with the condition. The movement ensures children and adults with CP have the same rights, opportunities and access as everyone else. The theme for this year’s World CP Day is #UniquelyCP. The call to action of the 2024 theme is to overcome stereotypes by celebrating the personality and individuality of the community.

What is Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders that cause problems with balance, movement, and posture and the symptoms vary from person to person. Secondary health conditions and associated impairments generally accompany the neurological disorder. Some children may show symptoms related to delays in speech development, trouble with eating, chewing, or sucking, difficulty in speaking, delays in reaching motor skills milestones (crawling or sitting up) and intellectual disabilities.

It is cynical but true that there is no cure for CP. It has not stopped who’s who of the healthcare industry, governments, investors and NGOs from looking for the light at the end of the tunnel. In March 2024, the Ireland government rolled out a new €11.6 million (approximately USD 13 million) research program emphasizing cerebral palsy at University College Cork (UCC).

These bullish policies have become paramount amidst rising cases of the disorder. According to Worldcpday.org, over 17 million people are living with cerebral palsy globally. Meanwhile, in November 2023, it was reported that the U.S. CDC would resume tracking cerebral palsy (CP) cases in the U.S. These trends underscore the significance of advanced devices and equipment, including physiotherapy equipment, active wheelchair and neurorehabilitation devices, to enhance psychological and physical wellbeing.

1. Charting the Active Wheelchair

Most people with cerebral palsy grapple with mobility restrictions. Active wheelchairs have come to the fore as popular mobility aids for non-ambulatory cerebral palsy patients. Also known as a sports wheelchair, it is apt for people with good upper body control and those who seek increased performance. Since active wheelchairs are self-propelled, the user will require strength to push along. These wheelchairs are:

• Highly customizable;

• Lightweight;

• More maneuverable;

• A better reflection of the individual style.

 

The active wheelchair market could well be poised for innovation and investments as users leave no stone unturned to overcome hurdles. In June 2024, Nordic Capital announced selling Sunrise Medical to Platinum Equity. The acquisition, under the financial advisory of JP Morgan, will help Platinum Equity boost its mobility solutions portfolio and foster advanced clinical solutions tailored to the individual’s needs.

2. Taking Vital Steps with Physiotherapy Equipment

Physiotherapy for children with movement disorders has become invaluable in encouraging balance and movement and bolstering positioning and stability. Movement experts, or physiotherapists, are able ally of children with CP to help them taper off the impact of their physical impairments and restore and maintain psychological, physical and social wellbeing across home, school, community and recreation centers.

The need for equipment, including mobility devices, has furthered the demand for advancements to influence functional ability. So much so that the physiotherapy equipment market could witness compelling trends for tools and devices to enhance outcomes, daily living skills and enhance opportunities for learning and development.

3. Neurorehabilitation Devices Bring Ray of Hope

People with CP often seek neurorehabilitation devices to boost mobility, communication and educational outcomes. Bespoke solutions, including wearable devices and neurorobotics, have brought a tectonic shift in the neurorehabilitation devices market. To illustrate, in July 2022, Blynn Shideler, a Stanford medical student, designed a wearable device-BUDI-the Biofeedback Upper-limb Device for Impairment to make it easier for kids with CP to perform therapy exercises anywhere. The student reportedly received a grant from the FDA’s Pediatric Device Consortium to develop assistive technologies and wearable devices for pediatric rehabilitation.

4. Unearthing Neurocognitive Assessment and Rehabilitation

Over the years, neuropsychological rehabilitation has grabbed headlines on the heels of its ability to underscore emotional, cognitive and psychosocial functioning. The global trend in the neurocognitive assessment and rehabilitation market alludes to the rising prominence of AI, virtual reality (VR) and wearable devices. To put things in perspective, neurocognitive assessments are a strong pillar to foster customization by discerning cognitive strengths and challenges. For instance, a physiatrist can monitor and analyze the benefits or impacts of each type of treatment on a child’s total development and adjust therapies accordingly.

5. More than Just Spinal Pumps

Children with cerebral palsy may have spasticity (involuntary muscle stiffness) or dystonia (movement disorder). Spinal pumps or Intrathecal Baclofen Pump may provide children with long-lasting and strong relief from symptoms. The neurosurgical treatment option is prevalently used to treat spasticity-the therapy can be the silver bullet to minimize spasticity. The pump, surgically implanted in the abdomen, has fewer side effects vis-à-vis oral baclofen. Some other upsides of spinal pumps include:

• The catheter and pump can be surgically removed;
• Medication delivery is provided continuously;
• Different doses at different times of the day can be programmed;

 

These dynamics suggest the spinal pumps market is ripe for innovations and investments. To illustrate, in October 2023, Medtronic reportedly received a green signal from FDA for SynchroMed III intrathecal drug delivery system for severe spasticity, cancer pain and chronic pain.

Upshot

The diagnosis of cerebral palsy at an early stage is a vital cog to the wellbeing of the children and their loved ones. Developmental monitoring will track a child’s growth and development, while developmental screening can help doctors know if the child has particular developmental delays, including movement delays. Besides, a pregnant woman should avoid cigarettes and alcohol and stay away from exposure to viruses and infections. Also, ensuring pregnant women have been vaccinated can prevent CP-causing infections in unborn babies.

While the cure for CP is yet to be reported or recognized, treatment options, such as assistive devices, surgeries, medicines and therapies, are expected to enhance the lives of those who have it and help people be as independent and active as possible.