Cerebral Palsy Function Research Articles

Função vísuo-espacial em paralisia cerebral e proposta de novo teste com a ajuda de computador

Os autores apresentam o estudo da função vísuo-espacial em uma criança com paralisia cerebral (PC). Apoiados nas teorias de Luria e Piaget, justificam a existência de tal distúrbio em PC. A criança-propósito deste estudo apresentou elementos teórico-práticos que embasaram esta idéia. Face às limitações dos testes disponíveis, propomos novo teste aplicável tanto em papel quanto em computador. Trata-se de quatro linhas dispostas equidistantemente em diferentes inclinações. A simplicidade do teste permitiu seu uso em computador, o que ampliou e aprofundou a investigação, acrescentando novos elementos ao estudo.

Effect of Task on Movement Control in Cerebral Palsy: Implications for Assessment and Therapy

In order to examine the possibility that children with cerebral palsy (CP) find abstract tasks, such as extending the arm as much as possible, more difficult than concrete tasks, such as reaching to grasp an object, nine hemiparetic children with CP and 12 nursery-school children were tested with both a concrete and an abstract task. The children with CP achieved a significantly larger range of movement in the concrete task, whereas the nursery-school children showed no difference between tasks. Thus the CP children's poorer performance on the abstract task did not fully reflect their movement capability. This means that conventional neurological measurements of limb function in cerebral palsy, which mainly use abstract tasks or passive movements, will give an incomplete picture of the child's action capability.

Dorsal Rhizotomy, A Treatment of Unproven Efficacy

On close examination of the available data, we conclude that convincing evidence of the efficacy of dorsal rhizotomy for improving motor function in cerebral palsy has yet to be shown, in spite of the fact that the operation has been used, with some variations in technique, for over 80 years. It is a procedure that is demanding of patient, family, and a large professional staff. While it does not entail a large operative risk, it must be uncomfortable during the acute and immediate recovery phases. Long-term complications and disabilities are unknown. Furthermore, at a time of soaring health costs, it is expensive. To justify its use will require carefully controlled and persuasive objective evidence of its benefits.

Seating Position and Hand Function in Cerebral Palsy

Literature concerning the seating requirements for cerebral palsied children is reviewed. Three basic guidelines for correct seating, namely, seat base angle, backrest angle and seat flexion angle were isolated for investigation. These three factors were then taken as a basis for an experiment on the effects of seating position on hand function of a cerebral palsied adolescent. The method of testing and results are discussed and conclusions drawn on further tests that are required to investigate this experimental hypothesis.

Facts and fallacies about neuromuscular function in cerebral palsy as revealed by electromyography.

SUMMARYA study of surface electromyographic records from children with cerebral palsy brings out the following points:Electromyography is a valuable aid in the study of the neuromuscular problems of cerebral palsy.Clinical ‘spasticity’ is a complex phenomenon and apparently similar ‘spastic’ muscles do not always react in the same way or as expected.Reliable predictions about the functional activity of muscles cannot be made from observation or from the action of the muscles in response to voluntary effort. This applies to walking as well as to other actions of the muscles.Muscular relaxation is just as important as muscular contraction in determining the action of muscles.It is easier to predict the results of orthopaedic operations with regard to deformities than with regard to functional activity.RÉSUMÉRéaltiés et illusions à propos de lafonction neuromuseulaire dans la palsie cérébrate mise en évidence par électromyographicLes points suivants ont été examinés et discutés au moyen d'enregistrements électromyographiques en surface chez des enfants atteints de palsie cérébrale:Lélectromyographie apporte une aide précieuse a l'étude des problèmes neuro‐musculaires de la palsie cérébrale.La ‘spasticite’ clinique est un phénomène complexe et des muscles pareillement ‘spastiques’ ne réagissent pas toujours de la même façon, ni de la façon prévue.On ne peut preadire avec certitude l'activité fonctionnelle des muscles d'apres l'observation ou d'après l' action des muscles en réponse à l'effort volontaire.La relaxation des muscles est aussi importante que leur contraction pour déterminer leur action.II est plus facile de prédire les résultats des opérations orthopédiques sur les malformations que sur l'activité fonctionnelle.ZUSAMMENFASSUNGTatsachen und Trugschlüsse über neuromuskuläre Funktion bei Gehirnlähmung, wie durch Elektromiografie aufgezeigtEin Studium der elektromiografischen Oberflächen‐Aufzeichnungen von Kindern, die unter Gehirnlähmung leiden, bringt folgende Punkte zum Vorschein:Elektromiografie ist eine wertvolle Hilfe beim Studium der ncuromuskulären Probleme bei Gehirnlähmung.Klinische ‘Spastizität’ ist ein komplexes Phänomen, und scheinbar ähnliche ‘spastische’ Muskeln reagieren nicht immer in der erwarteten Art und Weise.Es können keine verlässlichen Voraussagen über die funktionale Aktivität der Muskeln durch Beobachtung oder durch die Tätigkeit der Muskeln in der Reaktion zu absichtlicher Anstrengung, gemacht werden. Dies betrifft das Gehen sowohl als auch andere Muskel‐Tätigkeiten. Um die Tätigkeit der Muskeln festzustellen, ist Muskel‐Entspannung ebenso wichtig wie Muskel‐Anspannung.Es ist einfacher, die Resultate von orthopädischen Operationen in Hinsicht auf Deformationen als in Hinsicht auf funktionale Aktivität vorauszusagen.RESUMEN Verdad y mentira sobre funcion neuromuscular en la parálisis cerebral: hallazgos de la electromiografia Por medio de registros electromiográficos superficiales de niños que padecían de una parálisis cerebral, se han estudiado y discutido los puntos siguientes.La electromiografia es de mucho valor en estudiar los problemas neuromusculares de la parálisis cerebral.La ‘espasticidad’ clinica es un fenómeno complejo y musculos ‘espásticos’ por lo visto parecidos no reaccionan siempre del mismo modo ni del que se espera.No es posible basar predicciones exactas tocante a la actividad funcional de músculos sobre observaciones ni sobre la acción de los músculos en respuesta a un esfuerzo voluntario. Se incluye aquí la acción de pasear, lo mismo que otras acciones de los músculos.La relajación muscular es tan importante como la contracción muscular para determinar la acción de los múculos.Es más fácil predecir los resultados de operaciones ortopédicas que tratan de malforma‐ciones que de las que tratan de actividad funcional.

Quantitative assessment of motor function in cerebral palsy; evaluation of zoxazolamine (flexin), a new muscular relaxant drug.

Quantitative assessment of motor function in cerebral palsy; evaluation of zoxazolamine (flexin), a new muscular relaxant drug.