Listening to the patient as a possible route to cost-effective rehabilitation: a case report

INTRODUCTION: Adolescents with cerebral palsy often do not need a specific rehabilitative treatment; however, when specific needs are expressed, clinicians should listen and try to answer them. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 17-year-old Italian male patient with hemiplegia who had received standard physiotherapy and, ultimately, after a period of adapted physical activity performed in a group, was under consideration for discharge. However, due to unsatisfactory hand control, he asked for help to reach a personal goal, the ability to drive a motorbike, without surgery. Functional taping showed efficacy, but was neither cost-effective nor practical for the patient and his family; by contrast, a dynamic orthosis associated with training in a real-life environment was instead successful. CONCLUSION: The present case underlines the importance of considering solutions involving the motivation and compliance of the patient in order to improve his activity and participation.