Análise dos grupos de pesquisa sobre incapacidade funcional no Brasil / Analysis of research groups on functional disability in Brazil / Análisis de grupos de investigación de discapacidad funcional en Brasil

Objetivo: Analisar as características dos grupos de pesquisa (GPs) sobre incapacidade funcional no Brasil. Método: Utilizou-se a base de dados do Diretório de Grupos de Pesquisa no Brasil do Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico a partir dos termos: capacidade funcional, desempenho funcional, funcionalidade e classificação internacional de funcionalidade, incapacidade e saúde. Analisou-se os grupos quanto ao ano de formação, líderes, área de conhecimento, distribuição geográfica, quantidade de linhas de pesquisa e de recursos humanos. Resultados: Identificou-se 91 GPs, a partir de 1999, inseridos na grande área do conhecimento Ciências da Saúde. Todas as regiões do Brasil possuem GPs sobre incapacidade funcional, sendo mais presentes no Sudeste (48,4%) e Nordeste (24,2%). A principal produção científica dos líderes foi de artigos científicos (84,5%). Conclusão: Há um aumento na criação dos GPs sobre incapacidade funcional, porém há disparidades regionais. (AU).

Objective: To analyze the characteristics of research groups (RGs) on functional disability in Brazil. Method: The database of the Directory of Research Groups in Brazil of the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development was used based on the terms: functional capacity, functional performance, functionality and international classification of functionality, disability and health. The groups were analyzed according to the year of formation, leaders, area of knowledge, geographic distribution, number of lines of research and human resources. Results: 91 GPs were identified, starting in 1999, inserted in the large area of Health Sciences knowledge. All regions of Brazil have GPs on functional disability, with more presence in the Southeast (48.4%) and Northeast (24.2%). The main scientific production of the leaders was scientific articles (84.5%). Conclusion: There is an increase in the creation of GPs on functional disability, but there are regional disparities. (AU).

Objetivo: Analizar las características de los grupos de investigación (GR) sobre discapacidad funcional en Brasil. Método: Se utilizó la base de datos del Directorio de Grupos de Investigación de Brasil del Consejo Nacional de Desarrollo Científico y Tecnológico con base en los términos: capacidad funcional, desempeño funcional, funcionalidad y clasificación internacional de funcionalidad, discapacidad y salud. Los grupos fueron analizados según año de formación, líderes, área de conocimiento, distribución geográfica, número de líneas de investigación y recursos humanos. Resultados: Fueron identificados 91 médicos generales, a partir de 1999, insertos en la gran área de conocimiento de las Ciencias de la Salud. Todas las regiones de Brasil tienen médicos de discapacidad funcional, con mayor presencia en el Sudeste (48,4%) y Nordeste (24,2%). La principal producción científica de los líderes fue artículos científicos (84,5%). Conclusión: Hay un aumento en la creación de médicos de discapacidad funcional, pero hay disparidades regionales. (AU).

Effect of motor imagery combined with physical practice on upper limb rehabilitation in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy.

INTRODUCTION: Evidence indicates that motor deficits in hemiplegic cerebral palsy (HCP) impair both motor execution and planning. However, current rehabilitation efforts focus mainly on relieving impairments in motor execution. Motor imagery (MI) is a promising method for stimulating neural networks underlying the planning and control of movements. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the effectiveness of MI combined with physical practice in improving the function of the upper limbs in children with HCP. METHOD: Twenty-four participants, aged 7-14 years were divided into two groups: intervention group (IG) and control group (CG). The IG was subjected to MI training and physical practice twice a week for eight consecutive weeks, while the CG received conventional therapy. Participants were assessed with the Assisting Hand Assessment (AHA) at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and follow up. RESULTS: The results showed improved motor functions in both groups. Analysis using the general linear model (analysis of covariance) and Bonferroni post hoc tests showed significant improvements from pre-intervention to post-intervention in the AHA for the IG. The CG showed non-significant improvement in AHA scores. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the MI training, combined with the physical practice program used in this study, was effective in improving upper limb function in children with HCP.