Play therapy strategies in motor rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy: an integrative review

Abstract

The objective of this study was to identify and analyze play therapy strategies used in the rehabilitation of motor disorders in children with cerebral palsy. This is an integrative review of the literature, conducted by two independent reviewers, in the following databases: LILACS, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL and PubMed databases. The searches covered the period from 2006 to 2017 and the Portuguese, English and Spanish languages. The search strategy included several keywords, using the PICO approach. Twenty articles were included that achieved satisfactory results for the use of ludic strategies, focusing on the fine motor skills, gross motor skills, balance and gait of children with cerebral palsy. Video games and computer games were the most commonly used strategies. It is concluded that the incorporation of ludic activities in the treatment of children with cerebral palsy, when properly used, is important in fostering the improvement of motor skills and favoring the therapist/patient relationship, making treatment more dynamic and effective.