Desempenho funcional de crianças com mielomeningocele

This study aimed at analysing the impact of level of lesion, locomotion, and neurological changes associated to meningomyelocele clinical framework concerning functional performance. For this prospective cross-sectional study 40 children with meningomyelocele were assessed as to level of lesion, ambulatory ability, Arnold-Chiari malformation, hydrocephalus, hydromyelia, tethered cord, and sphincter incontinence. Functional performance was evaluated by the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) which quantitatively assesses functional performance and independence in daily activities in the areas of self-care, mobility, and social functioning. Collected data were statistically analysed and the significance level set at pEste trabalho visou analisar o impacto dos níveis de lesão, deambulação e alterações neurológicas associadas ao quadro clínico da mielomeningocele sobre o desempenho funcional de seus portadores. Neste estudo transversal prospectivo foram examinadas 40 crianças com mielomeningocele, avaliando-se nível de lesão, deambulação, malformação de Arnold-Chiari, hidrocefalia, hidromielia, medula ancorada e incontinência esfincteriana. O desempenho funcional foi avaliado pelo Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI), para um registro quantitativo da capacidade funcional e autonomia nas atividades cotidianas, nas áreas de autocuidado, mobilidade e função social. Os dados coletados foram analisados estatisticamente, estabelecendo-se o nível de significância em

Effect of Transcranial Direct-Current Stimulation Combined with Treadmill Training on Balance and Functional Performance in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Cerebral palsy refers to permanent, mutable motor development disorders stemming from a primary brain lesion, causing secondary musculoskeletal problems and limitations in activities of daily living. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of gait training combined with transcranial direct-current stimulation over the primary motor cortex on balance and functional performance in children with cerebral palsy. Methods: A double-blind randomized controlled study was carried out with 24 children aged five to 12 years with cerebral palsy randomly allocated to two intervention groups (blocks of six and stratified based on GMFCS level (levels I-II or level III).The experimental group (12 children) was submitted to treadmill training and anodal stimulation of the primary motor cortex. The control group (12 children) was submitted to treadmill training and placebo transcranial direct-current stimulation. Training was performed in five weekly sessions for 2 weeks. Evaluations consisted of stabilometric analysis as well as the administration of the Pediatric Balance Scale and Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory one week before the intervention, one week after the completion of the intervention and one month after the completion of the intervention. All patients and two examiners were blinded to the allocation of the children to the different groups. Results: The experimental group exhibited better results in comparison to the control group with regard to anteroposterior sway (eyes open and closed; p<0.05), mediolateral sway (eyes closed; p<0.05) and the Pediatric Balance Scale both one week and one month after the completion of the protocol. Conclusion: Gait training on a treadmill combined with anodal stimulation of the primary motor cortex led to improvements in static balance and functional performance in children with cerebral palsy. Trial Registration Ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/RBR-9B5DH

Influência da adequação postural em cadeira de rodas na função respiratória de pacientes com amiotrofia espinhal tipo II

Este estudo visou determinar a influência da adequação postural em cadeira de rodas na função respiratória de pacientes com amiotrofia espinhal tipo II (AME). Doze pacientes (idades entre 7 e 24 anos) com diagnóstico de AME II, confirmado por achados clínicos e análise genética, participaram do estudo. Os parâmetros respiratórios - volume minuto (VM), volume corrente (VC), capacidade vital forçada (CVF), pressões inspiratória (PImáx) e expiratória (PEmáx) máximas e pico de fluxo expiratório (PFE) - na cadeira de rodas individual, com adaptações, e em uma cadeira de rodas padrão, isto é, sem reclinação ou inclinação. Os resultados mostram valores melhores estatisticamente significativos de todos os parâmetros respiratórios (VM, p=0,002; VC, p=0,003; CVF, p=0,017; PImáx, p=0,002; PEmáx, p=0,006; e PFE, p=0,007) nas medidas tomadas na cadeira adaptada para a postura adequada. Os resultados permitem concluir que a adequação postural em cadeira de rodas influencia positivamente a função respiratória de pacientes com AME tipo II.This study aimed at determining the influence of adequate wheelchair positioning aids on the respiratory function in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type II patients. Twelve patients (aged 7 to 24) with SMA diagnosed by clinical findings and confirmed by genetic analysis, who owned wheelchairs with positioning aids, underwent spirometric assessment - as to minute volume (MV), tidal volume (TV), forced vital capacity (FVC), maximum inspiratory (IPmax) and expiratory (EPmax) pressures, and peak expiratory flow (PEF) - both on their own wheelchair and on a standard wheelchair with no recline or tilt. Results show significantly better values in all assessed parameters (MV, p=0.002; TV, p=0.003; FVC, p=0.017; IPmax, p=0.002, EPmax, p=0.006; and PEF, p=0.007) of measures taken at the patient's own chair, with positioning aids. These results allow for concluding that wheelchair positioning aids may positively influence pulmonary function of patients with type II spinal muscular atrophy

Influência da adequação postural em cadeira de rodas na função respiratória de pacientes com distrofia muscular de Duchenne

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of wheelchair positioning aids on the respiratory function of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Twelve non-ambulatory DMD patients, between 10 to 22 years of age, were evaluated. They were assessed in their adapted wheelchairs and in a standard wheelchair without tilt or reclining. The wheelchairs of the participants possessed adaptations in the backrest and the seat, made according to the specifics of each patient. Minute volume (MV), tidal volume (TV), forced vital capacity (FVC), maximum inspiratory (MIP) and expiratory pressures (MEP) and peak expiratory flow (PEF) were measured. For data analysis we used the paired t-test adopting the significance level of 0.05. The positioning aids resulted in statistically significant better values of all respiratory parameters: MV (8,963.3 and 10,762.5 mL/min; p=0.028), TV (319.1 and 433.6 mL; p=0.005), FVC (1,476.3 and 1,850 mL; p=0.005), MIP (-41.2 and -51.2 cmH2O; p=0.022), MEP (29.6 and 36.7 cmH2O; p=0.004) and PEF (162.1 and 185 L/min; p=0.018). These results may suggest that wheelchair positioning aids can positively influence pulmonary function for non-ambulatory DMD patients.O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a influência da adequação postural em cadeira de rodas na função respiratória de pacientes com distrofia muscular de Duchenne (DMD). Participaram 12 pacientes com diagnóstico de DMD e que possuíam cadeira de rodas adaptada com idade variando de 10 a 22 anos. Cada indivíduo foi avaliado na própria cadeira de rodas e em uma cadeira de rodas padrão, ou seja, sem reclinação ou tilt. As cadeiras dos participantes possuíam adaptações no encosto e no assento, confeccionados de acordo com as especificidades de cada paciente. A avaliação consistiu em mensurar o volume minuto (VM), volume corrente (VC), capacidade vital forçada (CVF), pressões inspiratória (PImax) e expiratória (PEmax) máximas e pico de fluxo expiratório (PFE). Para análise dos dados, foi utilizado o teste t pareado, adotando-se o nível de significância de 0,05. As adaptações resultaram em melhores valores estatisticamente significativos de todos os parâmetros respiratórios: VM (8.963,3 e 10.762,5 mL/min; p=0,028), VC (319,1 e 433,6 mL; p=0,005), CVF (1.476,3 e 1.850 mL; p=0,005), PImax (-41,2 e -51,2 cmH2O; p=0,022), PEmax (29,6 e 36,7 cmH2O; p=0,004) e PFE (162,1 e 185 L/min; p=0,018). Nossos resultados sugerem que a adequação postural em cadeira de rodas influenciou positivamente a função respiratória de pacientes com DMD

Effect of transcranial direct current stimulation combined with gait and mobility training on functionality in children with cerebral palsy: study protocol for a double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial

Background: The project proposes three innovative intervention techniques (treadmill training, mobility training with virtual reality and transcranial direct current stimulation that can be safely administered to children with cerebral palsy. The combination of transcranial stimulation and physical therapy resources will provide the training of a specific task with multiple rhythmic repetitions of the phases of the gait cycle, providing rich sensory stimuli with a modified excitability threshold of the primary motor cortex to enhance local synaptic efficacy and potentiate motor learning. Methods/design A prospective, double-blind, randomized, controlled, analytical, clinical trial will be carried out.Eligible participants will be children with cerebral palsy classified on levels I, II and III of the Gross Motor Function Classification System between four and ten years of age. The participants will be randomly allocated to four groups: 1) gait training on a treadmill with placebo transcranial stimulation; 2) gait training on a treadmill with active transcranial stimulation; 3) mobility training with virtual reality and placebo transcranial stimulation; 4) mobility training with virtual reality and active transcranial stimulation. Transcranial direct current stimulation will be applied with the anodal electrode positioned in the region of the dominant hemisphere over C3, corresponding to the primary motor cortex, and the cathode positioned in the supraorbital region contralateral to the anode. A 1 mA current will be applied for 20 minutes. Treadmill training and mobility training with virtual reality will be performed in 30-minute sessions five times a week for two weeks (total of 10 sessions). Evaluations will be performed on four occasions: one week prior to the intervention; one week following the intervention; one month after the end of the intervention;and 3 months after the end of the intervention. The evaluations will involve three-dimensional gait analysis, analysis of cortex excitability (motor threshold and motor evoked potential), Six-Minute Walk Test, Timed Up-and-Go Test, Pediatric Evaluation Disability Inventory, Gross Motor Function Measure, Berg Balance Scale, stabilometry, maximum respiratory pressure and an effort test. Discussion This paper offers a detailed description of a prospective, double-blind, randomized, controlled, analytical, clinical trial aimed at demonstrating the effect combining transcranial stimulation with treadmill and mobility training on functionality and primary cortex excitability in children with Cerebral Palsy classified on Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I, II and III. The results will be published and will contribute to evidence regarding the use of treadmill training on this population. Trial registration ReBEC RBR-9B5DH

Critérios de elegibilidade e efeitos da rizotomia dorsal seletiva sobre a função motora e marcha de crianças e adolescentes com paralisia cerebral: revisão sistemática

Introdução: A espasticidade pode ser considerada como uma das mais impactantes alterações secundárias à paralisia cerebral. Nosúltimos anos, a Rizotomia Dorsal Seletiva (RDS) tem sido destacada como um procedimento cirúrgico eficaz para o tratamento da espasticidade dos membros inferiores de crianças com paralisia cerebral. Objetivos: Verificar por meio de uma revisão sistemática da literatura os efeitos em médio e longo prazo, da RDS sobre a função motora grossa e a marcha em crianças e adolescentes com paralisia cerebral. Além de averiguar se existe um consenso na literatura sobre oscritérios de indicação da RDS. Métodos: Uma pesquisa foi realizada na rede internacional nos bancos de dados de acordo com os seguintes critérios de inclusão: (1) desenho: estudos envolvendo o acompanhamento pós-operatório longitudinal; (2) população: crianças e adolescentes com paralisia cerebral espástica; (3) intervenção: RDS; (4) grupo controle com intervenção diferente ou sem intervenção; (5) desfecho: melhora da função motora, melhora da espasticidade e desempenho da marcha. Resultados: Foi encontrado um total de seis artigos que preencheram os critérios de inclusão e foram utilizadosnesta revisão. Nos estudos analisados, foram observadas melhoras significativas na variável cinemática da marcha com diminuição da espasticidade no grupo RDS. Conclusão: A RDS diminui a espasticidade com efeitos positivos sobre a função motora grossa e a marcha de crianças e adolescentes com paralisia cerebral, porém estudos adicionais são necessários para esclarecer a eficácia da RDS aplicada em grupos musculares de membros inferiores.

Protocol study for a randomised, controlled, double-blind, clinical trial involving virtual reality and anodal transcranial direct current stimulation for the improvement of upper limb motor function in children with Down syndrome

Introduction Down syndrome results in neuromotor impairment that affects selective motor control, compromising the acquisition of motor skills and functional independence. The aim of the proposed study is to evaluate and compare the effects of multiple-monopolar anodal transcranial direct current stimulation and sham stimulation over the primary motor cortex during upper limb motor training involving virtual reality on motor control, muscle activity, cerebral activity and functional independence. Methods and analysis A randomised, controlled, double-blind, clinical trial is proposed. The calculation of the sample size will be defined based on the results of a pilot study involving the same methods. The participants will be randomly allocated to two groups. Evaluations will be conducted before and after the intervention as well as 1 month after the end of the intervention process. At each evaluation, three-dimensional analysis of upper limb movement muscle activity will be measured using electromyography, cerebral activity will be measured using an electroencephalogram system and intellectual capacity will be assessed using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children. Virtual reality training will be performed three times a week (one 20 min session per day) for a total of 10 sessions. During the protocol, transcranial stimulation will be administered concomitantly to upper limb motor training. The results will be analysed statistically, with a p valueâ\u89¤0.05 considered indicative of statistical significance. Ethical aspects and publicity The present study received approval from the Institutional Review Board of Universidade Nove de Julho (Sao Paulo,Brazil) under process number 1.540.113 and is registered with the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (N° RBR3PHPXB). The participating institutions have presented a declaration of participation. The volunteers will be permitted to drop out of the study at any time with no negative repercussions. The results will be published and will contribute evidence regarding the use of this type of intervention on children

Transcranial direct current stimulation combined with upper limb functional training in children with spastic, hemiparetic cerebral palsy: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

The aim of the proposed study is to perform a comparative analysis of functional training effects for the paretic upper limb with and without transcranial direct current stimulation over the primary motor cortex in children with spastic hemiparetic cerebral palsy