scholarly journals Alternative Therapeutic Intervention for Individuals with Rett Syndrome

2007 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 698-714 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meir Lotan

The individual with Rett syndrome (RS) displays an array of challenging difficulties in all areas of daily living. Since there is no cure for the disorder at this moment, parents of the individual with Rett search for different interventional modalities that will improve the condition and quality of life for their child. During the last few years, many individuals with RS have experienced different kinds of interventions. This paper presents these methods with relevant case stories for others to share the possibilities. This paper reviews the following interventions: animal-assisted therapy, such as dolphin therapy and dog-assisted therapy; auditory integration training; hyperbaric chamber; manual therapy, such as acupuncture/acupressure, aromatherapy, craniosacral therapy, Mayo facial release, Treager massage, chiropractor, and Reiki; mental modification techniques, such as Lovas and cognitive rehabilitation; motoric interventions, such as advanced biomechanical rehabilitation, patterning/Doman-DeLacato approach, and yoga. The present paper is not a recommendation for any of the above-mentioned techniques, but merely a review of different interventions available for the inquisitive parent of the individual with RS.

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 609-619
Author(s):  
Michelle Stahlhut ◽  
Bente Appel Esbensen ◽  
Jane Lunding Larsen ◽  
Anne-Marie Bisgaard ◽  
Jenny Downs ◽  
...  

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder usually affecting females. It is associated with intellectual and multiple disabilities leading to a high level of dependency in all aspects of daily living including participation in physical activities. This study explored facilitators and barriers to “uptime” (non-sedentary) activities in Danish girls and women with RTT as perceived by parents and professionals using focus groups. Through thematic analysis, one central theme emerged: a constant balance to do the best thing for the girl or woman. Within the central theme, five subthemes of facilitators and barriers were identified relating to the individual and the physical, organizational, social, and attitudinal environments. Environmental barriers can be reduced through policy and management-level changes in health promotion and strong advocacy of physical activity by health professionals. Targeting both facilitators and barriers of “uptime” activities enables the planning and implementing of health-promoting interventions in individuals with RTT.


2006 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 1619-1630 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lilit Zysman ◽  
Meir Lotan ◽  
Bruria Ben-Zeev

Osteoporosis is the reduction of calcium density in bones, usually evident in postmenopausal females, yet the tendency for osteoporosis can also be identified at a young age, especially in patients with chronic diseases, disabilities, and on chronic anticonvalsant treatment. Individuals with Rett syndrome (RS) have been found to show signs of osteoporosis at a young age. This condition may cause pathological fractures, inflict pain, and seriously damage mobility. In such cases, the quality of life of the individual and her primary caretakers will be severely hampered. This article reviews the current knowledge of the phenomenon and suggests some clinical directions for the individual with RS who shows signs of osteoporosis. The article also presents novel findings from a screening test of bone strength in 35 individuals with RS at different ages using the Sunlight Omnisense 7000P ultrasound apparatus. The primary results from this investigation showed a strong and significant positive correlation between calcium intake and bone strength (p< 0.0001) as well as bone density Z values (p< 0.005). The occurrence and frequency of fractures were found connected with reduced bone strength in measurements of both the radius (p< 0.0001) and the tibia (p< 0.004) as well as with negative bone strength Z values (p= 0.03). Other findings specified within the content of the article support the implementation of a comprehensive antiosteoporotic preventive management for this population.


2006 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 1302-1313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meir Lotan ◽  
Iris Manor-Binyamini ◽  
Cochavit Elefant ◽  
Judy Wine ◽  
Einat Saraf ◽  
...  

Rett syndrome (RS) is a neuro-developmental syndrome of genetic origin, which mainly affects women. Individuals diagnosed with RS exhibit a variety of functional difficulties, which impair their quality of life. The variety of impairments and the differences between each child makes it necessary to administer skilled treatment, individually tailored to each client. Since the foundation of proper treatment is based on a structured, well administered, insightful assessment, the individual with RS with her complex array of difficulties should benefit from such a procedure. This notion has led to the establishment of the Israel Rett Syndrome Center. The center includes a medical branch located at the Safra Shildren's Medical Center at Tel Hashomer and an education/rehabilitation team, who performs assessments in special education facilities and residential settings throughout Israel. The assessment team works by means of arena assessment according to the concept of play-based assessment. This article presents the working model used by the education/rehabilitation team at the Israeli Rett Syndrome Center. The principles and working characteristics of the Israel Rett Syndrome Center team are suggested here as a potential model for establishing additional teams, presenting similar evaluation services for other individuals with RS as well as for analogous populations.


Author(s):  
B. Carragher ◽  
M. Whittaker

Techniques for three-dimensional reconstruction of macromolecular complexes from electron micrographs have been successfully used for many years. These include methods which take advantage of the natural symmetry properties of the structure (for example helical or icosahedral) as well as those that use single axis or other tilting geometries to reconstruct from a set of projection images. These techniques have traditionally relied on a very experienced operator to manually perform the often numerous and time consuming steps required to obtain the final reconstruction. While the guidance and oversight of an experienced and critical operator will always be an essential component of these techniques, recent advances in computer technology, microprocessor controlled microscopes and the availability of high quality CCD cameras have provided the means to automate many of the individual steps.During the acquisition of data automation provides benefits not only in terms of convenience and time saving but also in circumstances where manual procedures limit the quality of the final reconstruction.


1996 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 68-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine M. Rankovic ◽  
William M. Rabinowitz ◽  
Gregory L. Lof

The Audiokinetron is a device that processes music for earphone presentation to patients undergoing auditory integration training, a treatment for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities. Intensity levels produced by the Audiokinetron were measured under realistic listening conditions with a KEMAR manikin substituted for a patient. Average levels at the eardrum were 110 dB SPL when the device was adjusted to the highest setting employed by a local, trained AIT practitioner and 118 dB SPL at the maximum setting of the device. These levels are potentially harmful to hearing and warrant further safety studies of AIT instruments and protocols.


2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 74-85
Author(s):  
Sandra M. Grether

Individuals with Rett syndrome (RS) present with a complex profile. They benefit from a multidisciplinary approach for diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up. In our clinic, the Communication Matrix © (Rowland, 1990/1996/2004) is used to collect data about the communication skills and modalities used by those with RS across the lifespan. Preliminary analysis of this data supports the expected changes in communication behaviors as the individual with RS ages and motor deficits have a greater impact.


2010 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 34-36
Author(s):  
Vaia Touna

This paper argues that the rise of what is commonly termed "personal religion" during the Classic-Hellenistic period is not the result of an inner need or even quality of the self, as often argued by those who see in ancient Greece foreshadowing of Christianity, but rather was the result of social, economic, and political conditions that made it possible for Hellenistic Greeks to redefine the perception of the individual and its relationship to others.


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