Vojta Therapy in Neuromotor Development of Pediatrics Patients with Periventricular Leukomalacia: Case Series.

Elena De-La-Barrera-Aranda,Laura Fernandez-Bueno,Juan Jose Gonzalez-Gerez,Manuel Saavedra-Hernandez,Carlos Bernal-Utrera,Cleofas Rodriguez-Blanco

doi:10.3390/medicina57111149

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Vojta therapy is used by physiotherapists and is based on stimulation through peripheral pressure that leads to the activation of involuntary motor response patterns, thus triggering patterns of reflex locomotion, hence also called reflex locomotion therapy. Objective: To analyze the changes produced by Vojta therapy in the evolution of infant motor development in patients with maturational delay due to periventricular leukomalacia. Materials and methods: One session of Vojta Therapy per week for eleven months, patients’ neuromotor development was evaluated through the Denver II Test and the Baleys Scale. Results: A clinically significant increase in the development of the patients is observed. Conclusions: Neuromotor development seems to generate an adequate progression in the motor area.

Highlights

Periventricular leukomalacia is a necrosis of the white matter, located dorsal and lateral to the outer corners of the lateral ventricles [1]
We present a case series, concerning clinical motor and neurocognitive manifestations diagnosed with periventricular leukomalacia, where the importance of its evolution depends on interdisciplinary teamwork, early diagnosis, and early intervention
Given the clinical experience in the sector and the sequelae of patients diagnosed with periventricular leukomalacia, it is interesting to scientifically prove whether Vojta therapy might cause a favorable evolution in the motor development of infantile patients diagnosed with leukomalacia

Summary

Introduction

Periventricular leukomalacia is a necrosis of the white matter, located dorsal and lateral to the outer corners of the lateral ventricles [1]. Neurological damage is one of the main areas of activity of pediatric physiotherapy, within this area, Vodja therapy is one of the most popular methods of physiotherapeutic approach. Other study shows how patients with Sotos syndrome with developmental delay who have been treated with the Vojta method improve the quality of motor patterns and cognitive activation [12]. There has been no research on how it explicitly influences motor development’s evolution, especially in pathologies that cause neurological damage, such as leukomalacia. Given the clinical experience in the sector and the sequelae of patients diagnosed with periventricular leukomalacia, it is interesting to scientifically prove whether Vojta therapy might cause a favorable evolution in the motor development of infantile patients diagnosed with leukomalacia

Study Design

Description of Patients

Intervention

25 November 2019 12 November 2020

Discussion

Conclusions