New MUSC pediatric rehabilitation lab serves children not qualified for research studies

MUSC's College of Health Professions (CHP) is breaking new ground with an innovative pediatric research lab that offers intensive rehabilitation services to children who do not meet inclusion criteria for current pediatric studies. One such child is Mila, a 4-year-old with hemiplegic cerebral palsy, who, despite her challenges, is thriving after receiving life-changing therapy.

Born at just 24 weeks, Mila and her twin brother MJ spent four months in the hospital. Mila especially faced numerous medical challenges in the first few months of her life, including Group B strep meningitis, seizures, hydrocephalus and a cerebral palsy diagnosis. Her mother, LeJasmine Cox-Gary, recalls a rollercoaster of emotions and medical interventions as well as the underlying fear that her daughter wouldn’t receive enough therapy in time to help her hit crucial milestones.

“Her doctor at the time told me, ‘If she's not sitting up by the time she's two years old, most likely she won't be able to walk,’” shared Cox-Gary. “So of course, that's been my focus.” While she was able to enroll both twins into some initial therapy, several places informed her that Mila needed more specialized services than they could provide, and the family routinely made three-hour round trips for medical appointments.

After receiving several recommendations, Cox-Gary relocated her family to Charleston for better access to specialized care at MUSC, where Mila was connected with the MUSC outpatient therapy clinic and CHP’s pediatric research lab. Under the guidance of research physical therapist Julia Brennan, PT, DPT, Mila received three hours of therapy daily, focusing on skills like bench sitting, army crawling and finger-feeding snacks.

“Mila participated in an intensive rehabilitation therapy protocol that is based on the national multi-site study called I-ACQUIRE, which uses an evidence-based framework requiring the therapist to create engaging, child-focused activities for the purpose of increasing and refining goal-directed movements,” said Brennan. “Activities had to be fun and engaging for Mila to work hard toward her goals.”

For example, to help Mila learn to pull a shirt over her head, Brennan placed fun items such as brightly colored tissue paper, leis or washcloths on her head to motivate her to reach up with her arms while seated with support. “Not only did putting these things on her head make her giggle, but it drew her attention to the demands of the task, which involved keeping her sitting balance while reaching and getting a gross grasp of an item to pull it down,” noted Brennan.

For Cox-Gary, the significant improvements her daughter gained since starting the intensive therapy last summer have been a game-changer. “Just in the first two days, Mila was more active and engaged,” she said. “The frequency and intensity of therapy at MUSC have been pivotal for her.” Mila’s teachers and therapists have also remarked on her increased activity, engagement and vocalization since starting the program.

A key feature of CHP’s pediatric research lab is intentional collaboration between MUSC therapists and school therapists, which ensures a unified approach to her care. Other innovative approaches at the lab, including recording therapy sessions and providing video instructions, highlight the personalized and accessible support offered by its providers. “Every day, I get a little video with instructions,” said Cox-Gary, who credits CHP’s pediatric research lab as instrumental in nurturing Mila’s progress at home and in school. “She is the happiest little person, and she really is thriving.”

Mila's story is a testament to the power of intensive pediatric rehabilitation and the dedicated efforts of the team at CHP. “The goal of the pediatric research lab is to make high-quality, evidence-based and framework-driven intensive therapy treatments more accessible for ALL children with neuromotor disabilities,” emphasized Brennan. “This has started as a small project in CHP, but our dream is to be able to grow and reach all who may benefit from this type of treatment across South Carolina. The lab’s inventive and collaborative approach is paving the way for new possibilities in pediatric rehabilitation, with the goal that every child should have the opportunity to reach his or her full potential.”

For more information about CHP’s pediatric research lab, please contact Cindy Dodds, PT, Ph.D., 843-792-5731.