O equilíbrio na paralisia cerebral: estudo da influência da instabilidade ambiental na mobilidade

Abstract

Diplegy causes alterations in the muscular tonus and uncoordenation of movements, what takes a patient, among any other things, to a balance deficit and to a muscular weakness, causing disturbances on the functional performance. This study objectived to analyze the effects of a therapeutical program, developed in an elastic bed, with body stabilization, on the balance and mobility of diplegic cerebral palsy patients. Our sample was made of two female patients, who are 7 and 10 years old. To reach the proposed goals, a training structure was built in the elastic bed, with various exercises that required stabilization, as well as muscular force on lower limbs. This study was performed during two months, three times a week. Before and after the training, we submitted the patients to an assessment, to measure their performance. Data analysis was done comparing those data from pre and post training, through descriptive statistics and percentages, and the relations and differences among the variables, through Pearson’s corelation coefficient and Student’s t test, respectively. Moreover, a qualitative analysis on the therapy implications on the patients life was done, through interviews with relatives. According to the results and mother’s reports, there where an improvement on balance, force and muscular resistance and in some gait aspects, besides good results on climbing stairs. With that, we confirmed the importance of working the balance reactions for improving functional activities.