Cerebral palsy in adult patients: constraint-induced movement therapy is effective to reverse the nonuse of the affected upper limb / A eficácia da terapia por contensão induzida em pacientes adultos com paralisia cerebral

ABSTRACT Objective To determine if the original protocol of Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT), is adequate to reverse the nonuse of the affected upper limb (AUL) in patients with Cerebral Palsy (CP) in adulthood. Method The study included 10 patients diagnosed with CP hemiparesis had attended the adult protocol CIMT, from January/August 2009/2014. Results Average age 24.6 (SD 9.44); MAL average pretreatment How Often (HO) = 0.72 and How Well (HW) = 0.68 and post-treatment HO = 3.77 and HW = 3.60 (p ≤ 0.001) and pretreatment WMFT average = 21.03 and post-treatment average = 18.91 (p = 0.350). Conclusion The constraint-induced movement therapy is effective to reverse the nonuse learn of the AUL in adult patients with CP.

RESUMO Objetivo Determinar se o protocolo original da Terapia por Contensão Induzida (TCI), é adequado para reverter o não uso do membro superior afetado (MSA) em pacientes com Paralisia Cerebral (PC) na fase adulta. Método Foram incluídos no estudo 10 pacientes com diagnóstico de PC hemiparéticos que haviam realizado o protocolo adulto da TCI, no período de janeiro/2009 a agosto/2014. Resultados Média de idade 24,6 (DP 9,44); MAL média pré-tratamento Quantidade (QT) = 0,72 e Qualidade (QL) = 0,68 e no pós-tratamento QT = 3,77 e QL = 3,60 (p ≤ 0,001) e WMFT média pré-tratamento = 21,03 e média pós-tratamento = 18,91 (p = 0,350). Conclusão A terapia por contensão induzida é eficaz para reverter o não uso do MSA em pacientes adultos com PC.

Abnormal sensory integration affects balance control in hemiparetic patients within the first year after stroke

OBJECTIVE: Impairments in balance can be a consequence of changes in the motor, sensory, and integrative aspects of motor control. Abnormal sensory reweighting, i.e., the ability to select the most appropriate sensory information to achieve postural stability, may contribute to balance impairment. The Sensory Organization Test is a component of Computerized Dynamic Posturography that evaluates the impact of visual, vestibular, and somatosensory inputs, as well as sensory reweighting, under conditions of sensory conflict. The aim of this study is to compare balance control in hemiparetic patients during the first year post-stroke and in age-matched neurologically normal subjects using the Berg Balance Scale and Computerized Dynamic Posturography. METHODS: We compared the Berg Balance Scale and Sensory Organization Test scores in 21 patients with hemiparesis after first-ever ischemic stroke and in 21 age-matched, neurologically normal subjects. An equilibrium score was defined for each Sensory Organization Test condition. RESULTS: Berg Balance Scale scores were significantly lower in the patients than in the neurologically normal subjects. Equilibrium scores were significantly lower in the patients than in the neurologically normal subjects for those Sensory Organization Test conditions that did not provide appropriate somatosensory information and under conditions of sensory conflict. A history of falls was more frequent in patients with lower equilibrium scores. CONCLUSION: During the first year after a stroke, defective sensory reweighting significantly impacts balance control in hemiparetic patients. These results are important for the planning of effective rehabilitation interventions.