Article

Cerebral palsy (CP) may involve muscle imbalance between the
spastic muscles and their antagonists leading to weak postural changes, decreased
mobility and chest deformities. Objective: To improve postural condition in
children with CP using physiotherapy and assistive technology (AT)
METHODS: Five children with CP and multiple disabilities and postural changes
like scoliosis were included in this study. AT involved the use of low-cost
custom made cushion seat and backrest for the wheelchairs to achieve 90 degrees
of trunk flexion. This was performed in 10 sessions after the beginning of
physiotherapy. As evaluation-intervention tool, photographs were taken at the
beginning and end of each session, and then analyzed using software for postural
assessment (SAPO). RESULTS: Twenty-five per cent of the participants had an
improvement of trunk angulations at the end of the treatment program. CONCLUSION:
The use of AT with physiotherapy treatment proved efficient in the postural
alignment of children with CP children in a wheelchair. IMPLICATIONS FOR
REHABILITATION: Wheelchairs are manufactured in standard size, which makes
difficult the adaptation of individuals with peculiar postures. Even the most
sophisticated, with adjustments and special accessories, not always allow
adjustments to shape up properly to deformities in children with cerebral palsy.
It is hoped that this research will be useful in order to show rehabilitation
professionals the ability to minimize the difficulties of keeping children with
cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities properly seated in the wheelchair,
facilitating posture, movement, breathing and swallowing. The construction of
these artifacts has the advantage of being low cost, and must pass through stages
of adequacy and modeling in order to replace the seat and side of the wheelchair.

Langue : ANGLAIS