Evaluation of gross motor function before and after virtual reality application

Abstract

Introduction: Recently virtual reality has been aggregated to the therapeutic possibilities for patients who need functionality gains, such as individuals with cerebral palsy (CP). Aim: to evaluate the effects of virtual reality on the gross motor function of individuals with CP. Methods: longitudinal study, realized in a special education school, with five individuals with CP (7.4 years of age ± 1.14) of both sexes, evaluated using the B, D and E dimensions of the GMFM 88, before and after the application of three Wii Fit Plus(r) console games: Hula Hoop, Slide Penguin and Soccer Heading. These games were applied for four minutes per game, at the beginner level, twice a week, for twelve consecutives weeks. The normality of the sample was evaluated through the Shapiro-Wilk's test. The results obtained before and after the Wii Fit(r) application were compared using descriptive statistics. Results: all the individuals obtained improvements in the dimensions evaluated after the virtual reality application, with a 5.14% general improvement, varying between 1.9% and 9.6%. The standing (D) and walking, running and jumping (E) dimensions were the dimensions which obtained higher improvement percentages. Conclusion: considering the study limitations, the results obtained suggest that virtual reality can promote benefits in the gross motor function of individuals with cerebral palsy.

A utilização da órtese para abdução de polegar na encefalopatia crônica não progressiva e a contribuição da Terapia Ocupacional--um estudo de caso/Use of orthosis thumb abduction in non-progressive chronic encephalopathy and contribution of OT-a case study

“…É caracterizada pelo tônus elevado e relacionada à lesão de neurônios da via corticoespinhal3,6 .O aumento do tônus gera um desequilíbrio entre os grupos musculares3,6 ; Dias et al9 relatam que essa situação reduz a capacidade funcional muscular, impossibilitando o desenvolvimento de funções motoras normais. Tais características levam as crianças com ECNP a apresentarem dificuldades na aquisição de padrões neuroevolutivos de desenvolvimento, e consequentemente dificuldade na realização das atividades cotidianas1,6 . Santos (2014)10 descreve que apesar da ECNP ser uma lesão neurológica estática, as sequelas osteomusculares mudam ao longo da vida.…”