Influence of Bobath’s Concept on muscle function of the spastic tetraplegia cerebral palsy

Abstract

© 2015, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo. All rights reserved. Introduction. Cerebral Palsy (PC) is a disorder that affects the Central Nervous System (CNS) and interferes in the musculoskeletal system normal functioning. The Bobath Concept relies on the neuroplasticity property, using tonus normalization and movement re education as tools to assist in developing the movement desired. Objective. To evaluate the Bobath Concept influence in the muscle function of a patient who had been diagnosed with spastic tetraplegia. Method. Case Study, with one child diagnosed with spastic tetraplegia, performed in november 2013, held in Universidade Católica de Pernambuco labs. The patient was submitted to an evaluation and a kinetic-functional analysis through an electromyography during rest and the session with handlings based on the Bobath Concept (pelvic mobilization, stretching the iliopsoas muscle and trunk rotation). Results. It was observed through the electromyography that among all applied handlings, there was higher activation on the internal oblique/ transversus abdominis (OI/TrA) (34.1μV) and paravertebral (38.7μV) muscles during the pelvic mobilization to the right side. Conclusion. In a single session, the electromyography analysis revealed that the interventions by handlings based on the Bobath Concept may present benefits in the activation of muscle groups involved in the trunk control and postural alignment.