The use of serial casting in the treatment of children with cerebral palsy: a study protocol

Introduction: Cerebral Palsy (CP) is characterized by a disorder of posture and movement, commonly leading to disabling orthopedic alterations, including muscle shortening, especially in the lower limbs. Stretching methods, performed gradually, are necessary to delay the impairment in function from muscle shortening. The use of serial casting aims to promote proper alignment, and an ideal and stable support base, in addition to better bone and joint health, leading to better posture, mobility, muscle function, and, subsequently, increased fitness and health.Objective: evaluate range of motion, postural control, and motor performance in children with CP, using serial casting, as well as to measure its effect on fitness through the autonomic nervous system (ANS).Methods: Sixty children and adolescents with CP, of both sexes, 3 to 12 years of age, will be divided into three groups: Groups A, B, and C, with 20 individuals each. Group A will use serial casting, Group B will use the orthosis continuously (with removal only allowed for bathing), and Group C will use the orthosis in their daily routine. Range of motion of the ankle of first and second resistance levels (R1 and R2), gross motor function measure (GMFM), and balance (measured by BERG scale) will be used in the initial and final assessments, and after 6 months and one year of follow-up. Timed-up-and-go (TUG), load distribution (baropodometry), motor performance measured through a real basketball game and the virtual MoveHero game, analysis of body angulation with "mydartfish", and cardiac autonomic modulation through heart rate variability will be assessed in three different situations: barefoot, with orthosis, and with casting.Conclusion: Serial casting demonstrates the potential to produce positive results in the treatment of individuals with CP regarding better alignment, with consequent motor and autonomic improvement.

Central auditory processing outcome after stroke in children / Processamento auditivo central em crianças com acidente vascular cerebral

Objective To investigate central auditory processing in children with unilateral stroke and to verify whether the hemisphere affected by the lesion influenced auditory competence. Method 23 children (13 male) between 7 and 16 years old were evaluated through speech-in-noise tests (auditory closure); dichotic digit test and staggered spondaic word test (selective attention); pitch pattern and duration pattern sequence tests (temporal processing) and their results were compared with control children. Auditory competence was established according to the performance in auditory analysis ability. Results Was verified similar performance between groups in auditory closure ability and pronounced deficits in selective attention and temporal processing abilities. Most children with stroke showed an impaired auditory ability in a moderate degree. Conclusion Children with stroke showed deficits in auditory processing and the degree of impairment was not related to the hemisphere affected by the lesion. .

Objetivo Investigar as habilidades de processamento auditivo central em crianças com acidente vascular cerebral (AVC) unilateral e verificar se o hemisfério cerebral afetado influiu na competência auditiva. Método 23 crianças (13 meninos) entre 7 e 16 anos foram avaliados através dos testes de fala com ruído (fechamento auditivo); dicótico de dígitos e de dissílabos alternados (atenção seletiva); padrão temporal de frequência e duração (processamento temporal) e seus resultados comparados aos de crianças controles. A competência auditiva foi estabelecida segundo o desempenho na habilidade de análise auditiva. Resultados Foi constatado desempenho similar entre os grupos na habilidade de fechamento auditivo e défices acentuados nas habilidades de atenção seletiva e processamento temporal. A maioria das crianças com AVC apresentou comprometimento da habilidade auditiva em grau moderado. Conclusão Crianças com AVC apresentaram alterações do processamento auditivo e o grau do comprometimento não se relacionou com o hemisfério afetado pela lesão. .

A influência do familiar na aquisição de habilidades funcionais da criança com defi ciência visual / The family’s influence on the acquisition of functional abilities in children with visual impairments

A família exerce papel fundamental no desenvolvimento da criança com deficiência visual e para que ocorram cuidados adequados é preciso que sejam feitas intervenções nesse núcleo.Este estudo se propõe a identificar a influência do familiar na aquisição de habilidades funcionais da criança com visão subnormal. Estudo quantitativo de caráter transversal, que utilizou o Inventário de Avaliação Pediátrica de Incapacidade para coleta de dados. Foi aplicado o questionário com o cuidadore o julgamento clínico com dois profissionais envolvidos no atendimento à criança. O sujeito de pesquisa tinha cinco anos e diagnóstico de toxoplasmose congênita. Como resultado, obteve-se diferença entre as respostas dos profissionais e do familiar, evidenciando que o ambiente favorece ou inibe as ações realizadaspela criança. A influência do familiar sobre o fi lho mostrou-se limitadora nas situações de autocuidado, mobilidade e função social. A superproteção familiar pode resultar em dependência e falta de autonomia da criança, desinteresse em suas atividades, interferências em seu desenvolvimento emocional e social, além de conseqüências à sua estimulação e utilização da visão funcional.

The family plays a fundamental role in the development of children with visual impairment and to occur their appropriate care interventions in this core are needed. This study aims to identify the influence of the family on the acquisition of functional abilities of children with low vision. Cross-sectional study, that used the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory for data collection. The questionnaire was administered to the caregiver and clinical judgment with two professionals involved in the care of children selected. The research subject was five years old and diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis. As results,obtained by the difference between the responses of professionals and family, showed that the environment encourages or inhibits child actions. The infl uence of the child’s family was limiting in situations of self-care, mobility and social function. Theoverprotection can take the child to dependence and lack of autonomy, lack of interest in activities, interference in social and emotional development, and consequences to the stimulation anduse of functional vision.

Aspectos evolutivos de crianças com acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico perinatal / Neurodevelopmental outcomes of perinatal stroke in term neonates

Objetivos: O Objetivo deste estudo foi descrever apresentação clínica da doença, a evolução neuromotora, assim como a epilepsia. Métodos: Foram incluídas no estudo 18 crianças nascidas a termo. A avaliação ocorreu nas idades entre 6 e 16 anos utilizando se o teste EB Teste. O estudo foi retrospectivo quanto aos dados relacionados a antecedentes, diagnóstico do AVC e evolução quanto à epilepsia e transversal quanto à avaliação neuromotora. Resultados: Das 18 crianças estudadas, 4 (22%) foram diagnosticadas com AVCI depois dos 3 meses de idade, principalmente pelos sinais de assimetria; 14 crianças (77%) foram diagnosticadas na fase aguda, sendo que 11 (79%) apresentaram convulsões, 5 (36%), hipotonia e 3 (21%) sucção débil. Na evolução das 18 crianças, 11 (61%) desenvolveram epilepsia. As crianças que tiveram crises na fase aguda apresentaram probabilidade significativamente maior de evoluir com epilepsia (p <0.05). Em relação à neuroimagem, 17 indivíduos apresentaram comprometimento na Artéria Cerebral Média, com acometimento do hemisfério esquerdo em 13. Foram diagnosticadas com Paralisia Cerebral com hemiparesia 16 crianças. Em relação à escala neuromotora aplicada, EB teste, todas as crianças avaliadas apresentaram déficit em todas as dimensões estudadas. Crianças com lesões mais extensas apresentaram pior desempenho motor. Não houve recorrência do AVC. Conclusão: É importante identificar sintomas e sinais na fase aguda, permitindo que profissionais confirmem com imagem o comprometimento vascular no período perinatal. É necessário valorizar acompanhamento ambulatorial, identificando anormalidades neuromotoras e epilepsia na evolução, promovendo tratamento adequado para melhora da qualidade de vida destas crianças.

The aim of this study was to describe clinical presentations, neurodevelopmental and epilepsy outcomes of IPS in children. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in a children population and it was evaluated term infants ! 38 weeks gestational age, aged between 6 and 16 years, with diagnosis of IPS. The diagnosis was confirmed in 18 cases by Neuroradiology (CT or MRI). We studied the neuroimaging and data from acute phase as well as the evolution of these children through neuromotor scale IB Test. Results: In 18 cases, 4 (22%) was diagnosed with brain infarction after 3 months of age, especially for signs of asymmetry. Of the 14 remaining patients (77%) diagnosed early, 11(79%) had seizures, 5 (36%) had hypotonia and 3 (21%) had signs of low suction. In the group of 18, 11 (61%) evolved with epilepsy and children with seizures in the acute phase were more likely to develop epilepsy (p <0.05). Large cortically based infarcts were the most common pattern and, in 17 cases, it affected the middle cerebral artery territory involving the left size in 13. 16 children were diagnosed with cerebral palsy hemiparetic. In neuromotor scale applied, IB Test, all children presented deficit in all dimensions studied. Children with more extensive lesions had worse motor performance. There was no recurrence of stroke. Conclusion: It is important to understand symptoms and signs of acute allowing professionals to carry out identification of vascular involvement in the perinatal period. It is necessary to enhance outpatient identifying neuromotor abnormalities and epilepsy in the evolution promoting appropriate treatment to improve quality of life for these child.