Pre-Conference Symposia
More information will follow shortly. Two full-day pre-conference symposia will be organised on Wednesday 29 May 2024.
Let’s talk about the critical issues of altered muscles in children with cerebral palsy, within the ICF-framework
Summary
The overall aim of the pre-conference symposium is to describe a comprehensive picture of altered muscles in growing children with cerebral palsy, which will cover various domains of the ICF conceptual framework. This aim will be achieved by integrating macro- and microscopic intrinsic muscle properties with neuromuscular clinical symptoms, functional performance and participation. This will create a broad network of critical muscle issues, which will be related to state-of-the art treatment modalities. By broadening the focus, the ICF will place all critical muscle issues on an equal playing field, allowing them to be integrated as a guidance for personalized treatment of children with cerebral palsy.
The program of the one-day symposium will include an extended plenary section where we will discuss different contributing factors of altered muscle growth and pathological muscle function, as well as the impact of different treatment modalities on muscle properties, with focus on stretching, strengthening, tone reduction, functional training and orthopedic surgery. This plenary section will be followed by two parallel sessions, where one basic science session will cover some fundamental muscle topics in more detail (such as muscle metabolism, behavior of satellite cells, sarcomeres, etc.), while a second clinical session will run simultaneously and specifically focus on orthopedic interventions for children with cerebral palsy, and their impact on participation and quality of life.
Who can attend
The target audience include physicians, physical therapists, movement analysis specialists and research professionals who wish to improve their knowledge and understanding on altered muscle behavior and discuss envisioned pathways to optimize treatment at the muscular level, that eventually lead to improved movement patterns, participation and quality of life.
Faculty of presenters
A multidisciplinary team of clinical, translational and basic scientists will give a series of focused presentations, followed by time for Q&A and discussion. The expertise of the international presenting team covers the entire picture, linking muscle behavior in gross motor function with detailed features at the neuromuscular, macroscopic, microscopic and molecular level, as well as features of muscle plasticity following different treatment strategies. This creates a unique multidisciplinary translational environment that may inspire a wide interest group of the EACD community and lively discussions on the complex nature of skeletal muscles of children with cerebral palsy.
More details on the faculty and the programme will be announced later.
Technology & Innovation meet Policy & Families: The Quadruple Innovation Helix Framework
Short summary
The overall aim of this pre-conference symposium is to (1) describe the successful innovation and collaboration model with an end-user perspective, (2) overview the latest evidence in how interactions between academic field, industrial partners, governmental, and societal stakeholders lead to acceleration in innovation, (3) discuss the central role of end-users, (4) illustrate ethical challenges and exemplify a balanced approach.
The UN Convention says that persons with disabilities have the same rights as everyone else. Let’s do a reality check: the process is long… and it’s going step-by-step with large regional differences. But we also realize that -fully in line with the 1+1=3 rule- better collaboration and innovation is a leverage to accelerate this process.
Is there a successful ingredient with an end-user perspective to create more impact in their daily life? Yes! The Quadruple Innovation Helix Framework is a model fully believing in the combination of collaboration, leveraging each other’s knowledge, communicating with integrity and a central place for end-user’s needs and working with various stakeholders in the field to build an inclusive innovative world with a place for low tech and high-tech affordable solutions.
Attendees will learn in an interactive way more about:
- The Quadruple Innovation Helix Framework in health care
- The symphony of academia, innovative technologies, and industrial partnerships
- Latest regional and international case successes
- End-users’ perspective: from necessity to reality
- Ethical issues, challenges, and solutions
- Funding the start and implementation of the process
Who can attend
The target audience include therapists, physicians, technology specialists, industrial partners, family organizations, people with lived experience who wish to increase their knowledge and understanding on impact creation. The latter is achieved by collaboration based on evidence and ethical guidance in co-shaping innovations in symphony with end-users with childhood-onset disability, leading to increased functional activity, societal participation, and quality of life.
Faculty of presenters
A multidisciplinary team of clinicians, translational & basic scientists, technology and industrial experts, family and end-user representatives, policy representatives and funding agencies will give a series of focused presentations, each from their international expertise, followed by time for Q&A and discussion. This creates a unique multidisciplinary and interactive environment that may inspire a wide interest group of the EACD community.
More details on the faculty and the program will be announced later.