Multimodal patient-centered translational Research in Neuroorthopaedics
In the research projects of the group, we establish the link from neuroorthopaedics to the redefinition of modern and dynamic pediatric orthopedics. This not only places the clinical researcher at the junction of different medical (orthopedics, physical medicine and rehabilitation, neurology, neurosurgery, ...) and paramedical fields, but, also includes epidemiology, public health, engineering, biomechanics, and digital health aspects.
Through gaining knowledge of cerebral palsy pathology, we have been able to create outcome evaluation sets. These deal with the combination of different epidemiological, clinical, functional, and technical evaluation methods within the pathophysiological study of pediatric orthopedic injuries (more specifically due to cerebral palsy), as well as with the results of therapeutic management ("outcome evaluation") based on the framework of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).
For the past twenty years, it has been the objective of Prof. Viehweger to introduce a practice patient-centered approach in my daily clinical and research practice. With her extensive experience in the field of patient-reported outcome, she is considered an expert and a welcomed guest at numerous conferences, holding courses, and having institutional responsibilities in this field, besides her surgical specialty.
Besides the establishment of Patient Reported Outcome Measures in the local research routines, the group explores the multifactorial adaptations and interplay among nervous-, musculoskeletal-, and psychological systems and how they impact walking behavior in various walking conditions, including a virtual reality environment. The principal focus is to understand the modification of control mechanisms and effectors due to the variation of stability conditions in neurological and non-neurological patients (orthopedic deformities of the lower limb and spine, sports).
Furthermore, new treatment approaches were explored, such as the influence of functional strength training on motion performance and daily life stability of cerebral palsy patients where the group has shown a direct translation of their clinical research in the improvement of daily life conditions in cerebral palsy patients.