Analysis of Heart Rate, Perception of Physical Effort and Performance of Individuals with Down Syndrome Submitted to a Protocol of Virtual Games for Home-Based Telerehabilitation.

Down syndrome (DS) is a genetic condition associated with impairments in several body systems, which may negatively influence the habit of practicing physical activities (PAs), increasing sedentary habits and the risk of comorbidities. Additionally, difficulty in accessing services, financial limitations and lack of interest may interfere with the practice of PAs. Considering the necessity of developing effective treatment alternatives, to increase the possibility of access and the interest of participants, we conducted a study using telerehabilitation with a virtual task to promote PA and analyze the motor performance of DS individuals. Our protocol consisted of 11 sessions of the virtual game called MoveHero. A total of 34 individuals with DS and 34 individuals with typical development participated in the study. Heart rate (HR) and rating of perceived effort (RPE) were collected at rest and during the game. Our results show that virtual reality presents a great possibility to promote PA and a way out of a sedentary lifestyle for DS individuals, considering the enhancement in HR and RPE found during the protocol for both groups. Moreover, our results show positive outcomes regarding motor performance, with significant improvement in the task with practice, demonstrating that individuals with DS are able to improve their motor proficiency with adequate stimuli in the virtual environment.

Funcionalidade de uma criança com paralisia cerebral bilateral submetida a cirurgia multinível: relato de caso / Functioning of a child with bilateral cerebral palsy submitted to multilevel surgery: case report

INTRODUÇÃO: Intervenções em diferentes articulações podem ser necessárias para corrigir a marcha agachada e outras alterações musculoesqueléticas que ocorrem com o passar do tempo em crianças com Paralisia Cerebral (PC). A cirurgia multinível reduz o número de hospitalizações, contribui para a prevenção de deficiências secundárias e melhora a capacidade de locomoção de crianças com diplegia. OBJETIVO: Documentar as mudanças na mobilidade de uma criança com PC bilateral, do tipo diplégica, após cirurgia multinível de membros inferiores na realidade brasileira. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: A participante foi uma menina de 8 anos, Gross Motor Function Classification System nível III. A mãe assinou o termo de consentimento livre e esclarecido. O Gross Motor Function Measure-66 (GMFM-66) foi realizado um dia antes da cirurgia e um, três, seis e doze meses após a cirurgia. Para completar os registros da evolução da criança, foram obtidas informações adicionais por meio do sistema eletrônico do hospital. RESULTADOS: O escore total do GMFM-66 foi: 49,6 pré-operatório (IC95%: 47,3- 51,9); 42,8 após um mês (IC95%: 40,7-45,0); 49,9 após três meses (IC95%: 47,6-52,1); 52,6 após seis meses (IC95%: 50,2-55,0) e 56,9 após um ano (IC95%: 54,6-59,2), aumentando após seis meses da cirurgia (*p<0,05). A participante apresentou adesão satisfatória à fisioterapia. CONCLUSÃO: Estudo de caso de criança brasileira com PC, usando o sistema único de saúde. O impacto da cirurgia multinível foi predominante na mobilidade, com piora da capacidade logo após a cirurgia e melhora progressiva ao longo dos meses. Os fatores que podem ter contribuído para nossos resultados foram adesão, frequência, fatores contextuais.

INTRODUCTION: Interventions in different joints may be necessary to correct crouch gait and other musculoskeletal changes that occur as time passes for Cerebral Palsy (CP) children. Multilevel surgery reduces the number of hospitalizations, contributes to the prevention of secondary disabilities, and improves the ambulation ability of children with diplegia. OBJECTIVE: Document the changes in mobility outcomes of a bilateral CP child, type diplegia, child after lower limbs multilevel surgery in the Brazilian context. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The participant was an eight-year-old girl, Gross Motor Function Classification System level III. The mother signed the informed consent form. The Gross Motor Function Measure­66 (GMFM-66) was performed one day before surgery and one, three, six, and twelve months after surgery. Additional information was obtained through the electronic system of the hospital to complete the child's evolution records. RESULTS: The GMFM-66 total score was: 49.6 pre-operative (CI95%: 47.3-51.9); 42.8 after one month (CI95%: 40.7-45.0); 49.9 after three months (CI95%: 47.6-52.1); 52.6 after six months (CI95%: 50.2-55.0) and 56.9 after one year (CI95%: 54.6-59.2), increasing after 6 months of surgery (*p<0.05). The participant presented satisfactory adherence to physiotherapy. CONCLUSION: This study describes the case of a Brazilian child with CP using the public health system. The impact of multilevel surgery was predominant in mobility, with worsening of capacity soon after surgery and progressive improvement over the months. Factors that may have contributed to our results were adherence, frequency, contextual factors.

Serious Game Platform as a Possibility for Home-Based Telerehabilitation for Individuals With Cerebral Palsy During COVID-19 Quarantine - A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study.

INTRODUCTION: There is a need to maintain rehabilitation activities and motivate movement and physical activity during quarantine in individuals with Cerebral Palsy (CP). OBJECTIVE: This paper sets out to evaluate the feasibility and potential benefits of using computer serious game in a non-immersive virtual reality (VR) implemented and evaluated completely remotely in participants with CP for Home-Based Telerehabilitation during the quarantine period for COVID-19. METHODS: Using a cross-sectional design, a total of 44 individuals participated in this study between March and June 2020, 22 of which had CP (14 males and 8 females, mean age = 19 years, ranging between 11 and 28 years) and 22 typically developing individuals, matched by age and sex to the individuals with CP. Participants practiced a coincident timing game1 and we measured movement performance and physical activity intensity using the rating of perceived exertion Borg scale. RESULTS: All participants were able to engage with the VR therapy remotely, reported enjoying sessions, and improved performance in some practice moments. The most important result in this cross-sectional study was the significant increasing in rating of perceived exertion (through Borg scale) in both groups during practice and with CP presenting a higher rating of perceived exertion. CONCLUSION: Children with CP enjoyed participating, were able to perform at the same level as their peers on certain activities and increased both their performance and physical activity intensity when using the game, supporting the use of serious games for this group for home therapy and interactive games. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: https://Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT04402034. Registered on May 20, 2020.

Functionality of children aged 5 to 7 years born prematurely / Funcionalidade de crianças entre 5 e 7 anos nascidas prematuras

Abstract Introduction: Preterm birth is one of several risk factors that can compromise child growth and development. Objective: Evaluate the functionality of 5 to 7-year-old schoolchildren born prematurely and compare them to children born full-term. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with 110 children divided into 2 groups (55 in the preterm group - PTG; 55 in the full-term group - FTG). Sociodemographic data were collected of the families and children and the families were economically classified according to the Brazilian Economic Classification Criteria - CCEB (Brazilian Association of Market Research Companies - ABEP) Functionality was assessed using the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI). Results: With respect to the descriptive variables, significant differences were observed for gestational age (p < 0.001), birth weight (p < 0.001), complications during the perinatal period (p < 0.001), current diseases (p = 0.010) and schooling level of the child (p = 0.023). In regard to functionality, on the Caregiver Assistance scale, a significant difference was recorded for mobility (p = 0.009). Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that 5 to 7-year-old schoolchildren born prematurely showed no differences in functional skills when compared to full-term children. However, the caregivers of preterm children provide greater mobility assistance compared to those caring for full-term children.

Resumo Introdução: A prematuridade é um dos diversos fatores de risco que podem comprometer o crescimento e o desenvolvimento de crianças. Objetivo: Avaliar a funcionalidade de crianças que nasceram prematuras e se encontram na faixa etária entre 5 e 7 anos, inseridas no ambiente escolar, comparando-as com crianças nascidas a termo. Métodos: Este foi um estudo transversal com a participação de 110 crianças, divididas em 2 grupos (55 no grupo prematuro-GPT; 55 no grupo a termo-GAT). Foram coletados os dados sócio-demográficos da família e da criança e a família foi classificada economicamente pelo Critério de Classificação Econômica Brasil (ABEP). A funcionalidade foi avaliada com o Inventário de Avaliação Pediátrica de Incapacidade (PEDI). Resultados: Em relação às variáveis descritivas foram encontradas diferenças significativas na idade gestacional (p < 0,001), peso ao nascimento (p < 0,001), intercorrências no período perinatal (p < 0,001), doenças atuais (p = 0,010) e escolaridade da criança (p = 0,023). Com relação à funcionalidade, na parte de Assistência do Cuidador, foi encontrada diferença significativa na área de Mobilidade (p = 0,009). Conclusão: Os resultados deste estudo apontam que as crianças nascidas prematuras e que se encontram na faixa etária de 5 a 7 anos e inseridas no ambiente escolar quando comparadas a crianças nascidas a termo, não apresentam diferenças nas Habilidades Funcionais. Contudo, os cuidadores das crianças nascidas prematuras ofertam maior cuidado na área de mobilidade quando comparados aos cuidadores de crianças nascidas a termo.