Background and purpose: The purpose of this case report is to describe physical therapy to improve the balance and ambulation of a 16-year-old patient with attention impairment following intracranial hemorrhage.
Case description: The patient initially had frequent losses of balance, especially in distracting environments, due in part to decreased attention. He was managed with a balance and ambulation training program that incorporated the principles of cognitive rehabilitation for attention impairments.
Outcomes: Following 11 weeks of outpatient therapy, the patient returned to independent ambulation at school without losses of balance.
Discussion: Research is needed to determine the interaction between balance and attention in patients with brain injury and effective treatment for patients with decreased balance related to attention impairments.