Data regarding physiatric advanced approaches of stabilometric and virtual reality for balance assessment and (re)training in cerebral palsy

Abstract

Introduction. Background. Cerebral palsy (CP) taxonomically encompasses spastic, ataxic dyskinetic and non-classifiable types and, together with the elementary motor deficit, disbalance limits the affected individuals’ orthostatic and ambulatory capacity, thus balance rehabilitation representing an important stake in (re)gaining functional autonomy. Physiatric advanced approaches such as those mentioned in the title, for specific equilibrium function evaluation and (re)training, seem to be contributive in this respect. Material and methods. In order to achieve an adequate documentation in the domain of the above mentioned rather new and complex assessment and rehabilitative procedures, we have conducted a systematic literature review following the methodology of the "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyzes ("PRISMA"). Pursuing this goal, we searched for eligible (see further in the body text of our work) articles, by specific keywords combinations (”syntaxes” – consensually) in five international medical databases: Elsevier, NCBI/PubMed, NCBI/PMC, Cochrane and PEDro, availing in addition, the ISI Web of Knowledge/Science Database, in order to check if the articles were issued in jornals indexed in there. Results. After fulfilling the selection/ filtering above mentioned standardized endeavor, it resulted 11 qualified and contributive articles, as well. In purpose to strongly enhance our documentation base, we used also free identified bibliographic resources. Discussion. There is a current and foreseeable further development in the future – technologically for fabrication and respectively, of their technical performances – including as regards the devices used (also) for stabilometric and virtual reality based equilibrium assessment and rehabilitation in cerebral palsy, considering their beneficial effects. Yet, at least partially, some of them are not completely anodyne. Conclusion. As in most situations, the related methodology of indication and administration can make the difference – so, an as much as possible exhaustive knowledge in this field, too, is necessary and prone to elicit best post intervention outcomes.

Keywords

• cerebral palsy
• equilibrium disorder
• (computerized) stabilometry/static posturography
• balance (re)training/rehabilitation
• augmented/ virtual reality
• (inter)/active (electronic/video)/“serious games”
• puberty/adolescence