What is Activity-Based Therapy?
A Promising Neurorestorative Approach.
Activity-Based Therapy (ABT) is a rehabilitation approach designed to activate the neuromuscular system below the level of injury. It is based on neuroplasticity — the nervous system’s ability to reorganize itself through movement and exercise. ABT uses task-specific, repetitive, and intensive exercises to help retrain the nervous system for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI).
Potential benefits include:
- Improved mobility, arm and hand function
- Neurological recovery
- Healthier body composition
- Better bowel and bladder function
- Reduced risks for heart and metabolic diseases
- Enhanced quality of life
Read more about ABT as a rehabilitation approach in this publication.
Why Isn’t Everyone Getting ABT?
The Promise Is Clear. The Path Needs Support.
Rehabilitation for people with SCI has evolved – shifting from simply adapting to limitations toward maximizing recovery of function and independence through therapies like ABT. Yet, despite its many health benefits, ABT remains out of reach for many Canadians.
Key challenges include:
- Uncertainty about the most effective ABT program for individual needs
- Lack of education and training about ABT for therapists and trainers
- Limited evidence to guide researchers and advocates
How Does Praxis Support ABT?
Building a National Network for Functional Recovery.
To overcome these barriers, Praxis brought together a wide range of experts and individuals with lived SCI experience to the 2019 ABT Summit, leading to the creation of the ABT Community of Practice (CoP), Canada’s first national network dedicated to advancing ABT.
The CoP sets national priorities every 2-3 years. Current priorities include:
- Working to expand access to ABT and related technologies
- Developing best practice guidelines for ABT after SCI
- Increasing engagement in ABT activities across key interest groups
- Strengthening collaboration between hospital and community groups
- Creating educational resources on ABT for clinicians and people living with SCI
- Tracking and evaluating ABT participation and outcomes
Since its inception, the CoP has been more than a network—it’s turned ideas into action by delivering resources and tools that empower clinicians, researchers, and people living with SCI.
Key achievements include:
- Developing an ABT Framework to guide research and clinical practice
- Creating a reliable tool to measure ABT outcomes (Kaiser 2024)
- Producing knowledge-sharing resources that connect physiotherapy students, experts and communities (see list below)
- Conducting national environmental scan to:
- assess current ABT technologies (Kaiser 2022, Gauthier 2023)
- identify knowledge and implementation gaps (Kaiser 2023, Cesca 2024)
- explore therapists’ perspectives on ABT use across care settings (Jervis Rademeyer 2022, 2023, Cheung 2022)
- Hosting quarterly CoP meetings that offer education, knowledge-sharing and networking opportunities
These milestones represent more than outputs—they are meaningful progress toward equitable access to ABT for all Canadians. But the work isn’t done. Your voice matters. Your support matters.
Join the ABT CoP – complete the registration form.
Want more information? Email us at abtcop@praxisinstitute.org
What’s Next?
Driving Evidence-Based Care
Praxis and the ABT CoP are advancing evidence‑based ABT across Canada through key initiatives:
- Canada’s first Best Practice Guidelines for ABT – Led by Dr. Janelle Unger to develop practical, person‑centred guidelines for clinicians and individuals with SCI.
- Outcome Measures Toolkit – Dr. Kristin Musselman and Arya Raha are collaborating with Community ABT Clinics to create a standardized set of outcome measures for ABT after SCI.
- ABT Tracking Tool – Ongoing development led by Dr. Anita Kaiser to support consistent tracking of ABT activities nationwide.
- Accessible ABT Resources – Dr. Hope Jervis-Rademeyer and Natasha Benn are leading efforts to develop new educational resources.
- Access to Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) Cycling – Through the FES Cycling CoP, Dr. Hope Jervis‑Rademeyer is expanding access to FES cycling for rehab, exercise, and sport.