INTRODUCTION: Cerebral palsy is a disorder characterized by an abnormal activity, movement and posture development. The Bobath concept is one of the most used methods for the neuropediatric rehabilitation and is based on the acquisition of sensorimotor skills according to the normal sequence of the psychomotor development. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we explore the relationship between electromyographic signal (EMG) in muscles involved in the cervical control in the frontal, sagittal and transversal planes and facilitation techniques using key points of control, which is part of the Bobath approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The methodology was quantitative applied in a case study of one child, seven years old, with Cerebral palsy and West syndrome diagnosis. The surface EMG activity of muscle groups involved in the cervical control (extensors, flexors and lateral flexors) was collected under therapeutic handling using key points of control in ventral decubitus on the wedge and in lateral decubitus along 5 seconds. RESULTS: The EMG signal from extensors and flexors muscles was augmented under therapeutic handling for weight bearing using the hip joint as key point of control in both decubitus. Although the EMG basal signal in the ventral position had been intensified during the weight bearing, the EMG activity was higher when the handling was performed using the lateral position. CONCLUSION: We concluded that the therapeutic handling for weigh bearing using the hip joint as key point of control induced the facilitation of cervical control. The use of the lateral position as well as the repetition of this position in a maintained way, since the correct alignment position is observed, should be able to induce higher facilitation of cervical control than weigh bearing in ventral position on the wedge.
Cerebral palsy; Physical therapy modalities; Electromyography
