title: Facilitation handlings induce increase in electromyographic activity of muscles involved in head control of cerebral palsy children.
abstract: This study aimed to investigate the electromyographic (EMG) activation of the main cervical muscles involved in the head control during two postures widely used for the facilitation of head control in children with Cerebral Palsy (CP). A crossover trial involving 31 children with clinical diagnosis of CP and spastic quadriplegia was conducted. Electromyography was used to measure muscular activity in randomized postures. Three positions were at rest: (a) lateral decubitus, (b) ventral decubitus on the floor and (c) ventral decubitus on the wedge. Handlings for facilitating the head control were performed using the hip joint as key point of control in two postures: (a) lateral decubitus and (b) ventral decubitus on wedge. All children underwent standardized handlings, performed by the same researcher with experience in the neurodevelopmental treatment. EMG signal was recorded from muscles involved in the head control (paraspinal and sternocleidomastoid muscles) in sagittal, frontal and transverse planes, at the fourth cervical vertebra (C4), tenth thoracic vertebra (T10) and sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) levels. The results showed a significant increase in muscle activation when handling was performed in the lateral decubitus at C4 (P<0.001), T10 (P<0.001) and SCM (P=0.02) levels. A significant higher muscle activation was observed when handling was performed in lateral decubitus when compared to ventral decubitus at C4 level (P<0.001). Handling in ventral decubitus also induced an increase in EMG activation at T10 (P=0.018) and SCM (P=0.004) levels but not at C4 level (P=0.38). In conclusion, handlings performed in both positions may induce the facilitation of head control, as evaluated by the activity of cervical and upper trunk muscles. Handling performed in lateral decubitus may induce a slightly better facilitation of head control. These findings contribute to evidence-based physiotherapy practice for the rehabilitation of severely spastic quadriplegic CP children.
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências da Reabilitação, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Brazil.
authors.forename: Anelise de Saldanha
authors.initials: Ade S
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Fisioterapia, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Brazil.
authors.forename: Alexandre Severo
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: do Pinho
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós Graduação em Saúde da Criança e do Adolescente, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Brazil.
authors.forename: Camila
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Grazziotin Dos Santos
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências da Reabilitação, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Brazil; Departamento de Fisioterapia, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Brazil; Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Brazil. Electronic address: alinespagnussat@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Aline de Souza
authors.initials: Ade S
authors.lastname: Pagnussat
mesh_terms: D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011187:Posture; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*
keywords: Electromyography; Motor control; Neurodevelopmental treatment; Posture; Rehabilitation