The influence of music on time and number of steps in the gait of children with cerebral palsy

Background: It is essential to determine whether music helps in carrying out locomotion activities in children with cerebral palsy (CP). This study aimed to determine whether music influences the locomotion of children with CP.Methods and findings: We measured time and number of steps and verified whether there was a difference in performing the task without singing and singing. The test was performed on eight children: four children with CP and four children who formed the group without CP (control). There was statistical significant difference in percentage change in the performance of singing in comparison to without singing (Kruskal-Wallis test, p <0.05), with the group with CP showing a mean reduction of 19% and 31% in time and number of steps, respectively.Conclusion Only the children with CP had lower time and a fewer number of steps while at the same time walking and singing a song of preference.

Author(s):

Carlos Bandeira de Mello Monteiro, Angela Maria Dias, Talita Dias da Silva, Silvia Regina Pinheiro Malheiros, Alessandro Hervaldo Nicolai Re, Marilia Velardi, Jorge Alberto De Oliveira, Marilena Do Nascimento

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