What is the ACT-HF Rehabilitation Program?

The Advanced Cardiac Therapies for Heart Failure Patients (ACT-HF) Program at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) cares for children with advanced heart failure through ventricular assist device placement, heart transplant and beyond. Rehabilitation is an important part of the ACT-HF Program. Rehabilitation will help your child develop and maintain “functional skills,” or the skills needed in daily life. The program also supports your child’s physical, cognitive and developmental needs during hospitalization.

What to expect

When your child is cared for by the ACT-HF Rehab Program, our team of multidisciplinary experts will evaluate your child’s individual needs and set rehabilitation goals for their continued recovery. The rehabilitation goals we will set for your child will be centered around getting them back to a baseline level of function and participation in daily life. These goals may include:

• Building strength and endurance
• Participating in self-care skills and activities of daily living
• Walking and using steps
• Participating in play and leisure activities

Acute phase

Our occupational and physical therapists will provide support for your child even when a higher level of medical support or intervention is needed. We call this the “acute phase” of rehabilitation. Our team will meet to decide when your child will be ready for intensive rehabilitation, and how often sessions will occur.

Intensive rehabilitation

When your child is ready for intensive rehabilitation and scheduled therapy, they will work with a primary occupational therapist (OT) and physical therapist (PT) five to six times each week. Each session will last 45 to 60 minutes.

Conditioning phase

When your child has met their functional goals, their sessions will happen less often. They may also meet with different therapists. During this “conditioning phase,” your child will work on maintaining their functional skills, as well as on building strength and endurance.

Developmental intensives

Babies will also undergo developmental testing to make sure they are meeting their milestones. Babies (4 months and older) may receive a burst of scheduled, intensive therapy with a designated OT and PT to make sure they continue to meet their developmental goals during hospitalization.

Your child’s team

Our rehabilitation program is led by occupational therapists and physical therapists with specialized training in treating children with advanced heart failure. These therapists partner with the ACT-HF medical team and our Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation team to provide the best care for your child.

Your child’s care team may consist of speech therapists, child life specialists and nurses, and may include art therapy, pet therapy, music therapy, school services, integrative health and – most importantly – you!