Effects of the practice of the body weight support in children with cerebral paralysis: a series of cases

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common cause of motor disability in childhood. This brain injury can result in varied neuromotor compromises that are usually associated with the severity of the sequela and the child's age. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of the Body Weight Support (SPC) on the motor function and flexibility of children with cerebral palsy. METHODS: Seven children who did not present gait pattern, GMFCS level IV and V, participated in the study, where the identification of the gross motor function performance was performed through the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM), flexibility using the Flexitest test , and the number of steps and distance traveled before and after one year of SPC treadmill treatment. With assistance from two therapists assisting in key knee and ankle points simulating the child's gait pattern. The sessions were held once a week for 30 minutes. RESULTS: The GMFM showed an increase of the scores obtained before and after the treatment, where the items of throwing and rolling had an increase of 14.09%, sitting had an increase of 10.43%, crawling and kneeling had an increase of 7.27% and finally, the standing item increased by 8.10%. The flexibility variable showed difference before and after treatment, obtaining as initial small flexibility and medium negative end, with increase of 7.85 points. However, the number of steps increased by 175 steps and the distance covered by 132 meters. CONCLUSION: The proposed physiotherapeutic treatment (SPC) presented to these patients with cerebral palsy was efficient and could increase motor performance, flexibility, number of steps and distance traveled.