PANat for children

What is PANat — for children and families

PANat is a structured, science-based approach to paediatric neurorehabilitation that supports children with neurological, congenital, developmental and genetic conditions affecting movement and participation in everyday life.

Inspired by the pioneering work of Margaret Johnstone, PANat combines Urias® Johnstone air splints and PANat-Laptool® with contemporary movement science, behavioural neuroplasticity and motor learning principles.

PANat supports self-directed, task-specific practice and functional skill acquisition for children with conditions such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, brachial plexus injury, prenatal stroke, muscular dystrophy, traumatic brain injury and selected orthopaedic conditions.

For families, PANat supports participation in everyday activities and enables continued practice within the home environment. For therapists, PANat provides a framework based on systems theory of motor control, behavioural neuroplasticity and contemporary motor learning principles.

Air splints provide biomechanical support and targeted sensory input, enabling children to participate more actively in meaningful activities, play and everyday tasks.

Specialised PANat training for children is most established in Eastern Europe, thanks to the inspiring work of PANat Teacher and physiotherapist Renate Vodičková in promoting PANat knowledge and providing clinical training in the Czech Republic.

Why PANat Benefits Children

Supporting Functional Development

PANat supports the integration of the hemiparetic limbs into meaningful movement activities that are important throughout childhood development. Through active participation and task-specific practice, children are encouraged to develop functional skills that support engagement in everyday life.

Promoting Behavioural Neuroplasticity

PANat is based on the principle of behavioural neuroplasticity – the brain’s ability to adapt through meaningful and repeated practice.

Motor, sensory, cognitive and emotional functions are integrated within purposeful activities, creating opportunities for learning and participation across a wide range of everyday situations.

Functional Skill Acquisition Through Practice

Air splints provide biomechanical support and targeted sensory input, enabling children to participate more actively in task-specific practice.

Through repeated, meaningful activities, children have opportunities to develop new movement strategies and functional skills while remaining motivated through play and exploration.

Supporting Motor Learning and Development

Contemporary motor learning principles are central to PANat. Through graded practice, feedback and meaningful activities, children are encouraged to explore movement solutions and develop functional skills.

Early opportunities for active participation may support learning and skill acquisition throughout childhood.

Supporting Tissue Mobility and Joint Health

Air splints and supportive positioning may contribute to:

maintaining tissue mobility
supporting joint alignment and biomechanical stability
reducing the risk of secondary complications
promoting comfortable participation in movement activities

These elements help create conditions for active practice and ongoing participation.

Long-Term Use – Including at Home

PANat is not limited to short intervention periods. Air splints are available in a range of sizes, allowing PANat to support children throughout different stages of development.

Parents and caregivers can learn how to support self-directed practice within everyday activities at home. This helps create consistent opportunities for participation and functional skill acquisition in meaningful environments.

Many PANat activities can be incorporated naturally into play and daily routines, making practice engaging and motivating for children.

A Holistic and Family-Centred Approach

In specialised centres such as Centrum Spirála, PANat extends beyond movement practice alone.

The approach considers the child’s participation within everyday life, including:

integration of practice into daily routines
support for healthy sleep and nutrition habits
promotion of postural organisation during activities
the overall well-being of the child and family

This creates a holistic approach that supports the child’s development, participation and quality of life.

More information: www.centrumspirala.cz