Elisa de Jesus Valenzuela

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of a short-term intensive virtual reality intervention in adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP). Methods: Single-subject design, type A–B-follow-up, with four participants (P) with CP, 15–18 years, GMFCS level II. A two-week intervention phase was performed with twelve Nintendo^® Wii games in six sessions (90 min) per week. Outcome variables were semi-static balance (Pressure Center Oscillation—PCO), gait speed (Ten Meter Walk Test at usual speed—TMWT-U; and fast speed—TMWT-F), mobility (Timed Up and Go test—TUG), endurance (sit-to-stand test 5 times—STS-5), and gross motor activity (Gross Motor Function Measure—GMFM). Results: Statistical improvements were observed in GMFM-D (P2–P3), TMWT-F (P2–P3–P4) and TMWT-U (P2), STS-5 (P3–P4), TUG (P3), and PCO (P2–P3), assessed by level, trend, latency, and visual inspection to analyze change. Conclusions: This study shows that a short-term intensive intervention using Nintendo^® Wii-based games in adolescents, GMFCS level II, can be an effective therapy, leading to some recovery of functioning in these young people.

Introduction: Preterm birth is one of several risk factors that can compromise child growth and development. Objective: Evaluate the functionality of 5 to 7-year-old schoolchildren born prematurely and compare them to children born full-term. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with 110 children divided into 2 groups (55 in the preterm group - PTG; 55 in the full-term group - FTG). Sociodemographic data were collected of the families and children and the families were economically classified according to the Brazilian Economic Classification Criteria - CCEB (Brazilian Association of Market Research Companies - ABEP) Functionality was assessed using the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI). Results: With respect to the descriptive variables, significant differences were observed for gestational age (p < 0.001), birth weight (p < 0.001), complications during the perinatal period (p < 0.001), current diseases (p = 0.010) and schooling level of the child (p = 0.023). In regard to functionality, on the Caregiver Assistance scale, a significant difference was recorded for mobility (p = 0.009). Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that 5 to 7-year-old schoolchildren born prematurely showed no differences in functional skills when compared to full-term children. However, the caregivers of preterm children provide greater mobility assistance compared to those caring for full-term children.