Id 118
Topic Neurorehabilitation
Main Speaker Mark Peterson USA
Co Speakers Uma Pandiyan Qatar, Nora Newcomb USA, Catherine Stratton Canada

Cerebral Palsy (CP) affects >18 million people globally and is a lifelong condition. There is inadequate clinical follow-up for individuals with CP after they transition from pediatric to adult primary care, and insufficient surveillance to track patients with CP longitudinally. Despite the shortage of research to examine the natural history of CP and chronic disease trajectories in this population, a range of secondary conditions arise at an accelerated rate as compared to the adult population without CP, prompting the widespread notion and clinical hypothesis that patients with CP are prone to accelerated aging. These factors further worsen functional status and quality of life, as well as lead to decreased independence. A handful of progressive CP scientists led by Mark Peterson have recently advocated for the adoption of a holistic, life course approach to CP conceptualization, detection and intervention. Physical activity, exercise, and sports each play important roles in primary, secondary and tertiary prevention of various lifestyle-related non-communicable diseases that individuals with CP may encounter at any age. In August 2024, sports in particular (i.e., systems of activities based in physical and/or mental exertion and skill that are often competitive) were declared a cultural right by the United Nations’ Special Rapporteur. Addressing the right to participate in physical activity and sports is essential to full participation in cultural life and a concrete step towards a more just and inclusive society. As Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine specialists and as a sports-interested professional society, we also have a responsibility. We are responsible for making physical activity inclusive, and sports participation possible for all of our patients with CP and other disabling conditions as long as they are in our care. The purpose of this symposium is to discuss cross cutting research pertaining to, and clinical care specific for the needs of adults living with CP. We will discuss ongoing translational work taking place from population cohorts of adults with CP. We will also discuss cutting edge population survey results pertaining to physical activity and sports participation among individuals with CP. Clinical care coordination for complex patients with CP will be discussed.