Estudio sobre la amplitud del movimiento articular de la rodilla en el proceso de marcha de niños con parálisis cerebral espástica

Introduction: To analyze the contribution of knee range of motion in walking of hemiplegic and diplegic children, considering their asymmetries. Material and method: Twelve children, 6 hemiplegics and 6 diplegics, from 7 to 12 years of age (9.5 ± 1.93) participated. Spasticity was assessed with the Ashworth's Modified Scale and the passive knee range of motion using an electrogoniometer. The task was to walk on an 8 m long walkway, using their preferred speed. Six attempts were made, three of which were on the right and three on the left sagittal planes. Results: The Mann-Whitney's U test found differences in the type of cerebral palsy for knee extension/hyperextension, for the relative angle of the knee at the load acceptance phase and for the knee range of motion during stride. The Wilcoxon's test revealed differences in hemibody for hemiplegics in the relative angle of the knee in acceptance of the load. Conclusions: Children with spastic cerebral palsy use compensation strategies between the lower limbs during walking. These strategies differed according to the type of cerebral palsy. The knee joint has an important function in those strategies, especially in the load acceptance and propulsion phases. © 2010 Elsevier España, S.L. y SERMEF. Todos los derechos reservados.

Humanização na assistência odontológica de pessoas com deficiência, através do projeto Cão Cidadão-Unesp

The Araçatuba School of Dentistry along with the Veterinary Medical Course, both from UNESP, develop the Extension Project called “Cão Cidadão UNESP” (Unesp Citizen Dog), which is accomplished in some assistance societies, including the Dental Assistance Center to Persons with Disabilities (“Centro de Assistência Odontológica à Pessoa com Deficiência” - CAOE-UNESP). This project develops a multidisciplinary work involving professionals and students from health sciences. The project aims at developing activities to relieve stress, fear and anxiety of patients with disabilities in the moment that precedes the dental treatment. The team performs procedures such as walking with the dogs and patients, toothbrushing the dogs so the patients can see it, in order to learn and motivate themselves, dressing the dogs with some accessories such as white clothes, mask and cap, to associate with image of the dentist, making this relationship more pleasant and welcoming. It is evidenced, through reports of professionals, that the patients become calmer and more collaborative with the dentists, distracting them from the treatment focus and creating a positive bond. It should be noted that this experience has contributed to motivate the professionals to introduce new techniques for dental approach, such as Animal Assisted Therapy. It also shows that animals can be very helpful in treating people with disabilities, because they offer a lot of love, companionship and provide moments of joy and happiness to the participants.