Influência da crioterapia e do calor ultrassônico na paralisia cerebral: Relato de caso

Abstract

Introduction. Several physiotherapeutic resources can be used to treat patients on what concerns to the control of spasticity and among these we can mention the thermotherapy and cryotherapy, because they present evidences on the reduction of the problem. Objective. To analyze the effect of the cryotherapy and the ultrasonic heat on the reduction of spasticity in patients suffering from paralysis. Method. The sample consisted of a patient with spastic cerebral palsy sequels, female, and 22 years old. It was evaluated the passive amplitude of motion (goniometry) and the level of spasticity by the Modified Ashworth Scale, before and after the physiotherapeutic intervention. The physiotherapeutic treatment (cryotherapy/30 min.; UST/10 min.) was managed in 14 sessions during 4 weeks, lasting 30 minutes each session. Results. The results found have demonstrated improvement in the amplitude of passive extension movement of the left elbow and for expansivity levels, being the value of p< 0,0001 for both studied variables. Conclusion. For the discussed case, the treatment protocol applied was effective in decreasing muscle spasticity with consequent improvement in the joint AOM.