Η επίδραση προγραμμάτων εργοθεραπείας στην ιδιοδεκτικότητα σε παιδιά με σπαστική παράλυση

Abstract

The present literature aims to investigate the effect of occupational therapy programs on proprioception in children with spastic paralysis. The method followed is the strategic search of studies, in the search engine of Pubmed (Medline) as well as through the Unified Search Engine of the Hellenic Academic Libraries Association (HEAL-Link). The terms (keywords) on which the final search algorithm was based were: cerebral palsy, proprioception, occupational therapy and somatosensation. The main dysfunction that characterizes cerebral palsy is motor, which is based on damage to the Central Nervous System. As a result, great attention is paid to motor development, with most therapeutic interventions focusing on the development of gross and fine motor skills. However, through the literature, the contribution of sensitivity and in particular of the proprioception sense to the optimal human motor control is understood, as well as the vital role it plays in the development of motor skills and consequently in the overall functionality of a child. The particularly important role of occupational therapy practice in achieving the maximum possible ability of the child to perform activities of daily living, education and play that he wants to perform in order to gain independence and quality in his daily life is also noted. However, this work reveals the special dynamics of certain therapeutic methods and approaches used by occupational therapists that have a direct effect according to recent research on the proprioceptive function of children with cerebral palsy. These interventions are sensory integration, sensorimotor interventions, occupational therapy intervention in static control (positioning), Sense training, the use of virtual reality systems and constraint-induced movement therapy. These interventions try, through a variety of experiences, learning, environment and developmental processes to change and adapt the nervous system and consequently its function, combining practices of enhancing personal motivation and meaning in performing activities. However, the small size of the focused studies on the effect of occupational therapy programs on the proprioception in this population makes necessary the conduction of further research as well as the creation of weighted tools for the best possible measurement of results.