Andrea Behrman, PT, PhD, founder of the NeuroRecovery Training Institute (NeuroRTI), professor, department of Neurological Surgery at the University of Louisville (UofL) recently received a donation from Kosair Charities to support her Locomotor Training Research.
In addition to the $7.3 million donation from Kosair Charities, a news release from NeuroRTI reports, UofL is also providing $2.7 million in funds to support Behrman’s research using locomotor training to help regain use of paralyzed limbs in children with neurological injuries and disease at Frazier Rehab Institute. The release notes that the funds will also support an endowed chair position for Behrman and springboard the development of the “Kosair Charities Center for Pediatric NeuroRecovery” at UofL.
According to the release, Behrman began her research in pediatrics at the University of Florida conducting the Kids STEP Study. The study was intended to extend the use of locomotor training to activate the neuromuscular system below the level of injury from adults to children with chronic, severe spinal cord injury (SCI) that were deemed non-ambulatory. While locomotor training has been successfully applied to adults post-SCI, NeuroRTI states, the use of locomotor training in children with neurological conditions is relatively novel.
The results have been reportedly beneficial not only for the recovery and development of stepping, but also for development of sitting balance and bladder function. The institute adds that the study provided a basis for continued research and translation to clinical practice.
Behrman calls the donations from Kosair Charities and UofL, “an honor,” and notes that, “The support Kosair Charities provides is critical to our advancing the science of rehabilitation in children. We look forward to sharing our findings with the larger neurological physical therapy and pediatric communities to improve the course of outcomes for children with neurological conditions.”
Physical therapists interested in learning more about Behrman’s work or enrolling in continuing education courses in locomotor training specific to adults and to pediatric populations can click here
Photo Credit: NeuroRecovery Training Institute, Evidence in Motion
Source: NeuroRecovery Training Institute
