Efeito clínico da fotobiomodulação transcraniana em paratletas com paralisia cerebral

Abstract

Transcranial photobiomodulation (t-PBM) is a non-invasive therapy modality that promotes increased of cerebral energy metabolism and antioxidant defenses. This therapy uses light, usually from a laser or LED to stimulate mitochondrial metabolism, promoting a higher energy supply in the cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of t-PBM on motor and intralimbal coordination of brain-damaged parathletes. Six parathletes were evaluated, classified according to the parameters defined by the International Paralympic Committee, in BC1, BC2 and BC3, aged between 23 and 41 years. Each parathlete was submitted to t-PBM of the whole head through a helmet composed of 204 LEDS, with interspersed wavelengths of 660 and 850 nm (CAPELLUX I9, Comedical, Mauá / SP, Brazil), 3 times per week on alternate days, for 15 min, for 2 weeks. To assess the effects of t-PBM, manual dexterity and intralimbal coordination tests (ILC) were performed before the start of treatment, 7 days and 14 days after. The results showed how the continuous movements for the evaluation of manual dexterity and tested ILC, seem to have the capacity to distinguish the motor limitations of the players, confirming the classification of the International Paralympic Committee. The evaluation of the manual dexterity showed a significant gradual improvement in the manual dexterity, after t-PBM sessions, for both the dominant and non-dominant hands (p<0.05). The evaluation tests of the ILC showed that there was no reduction in the time to perform horizontal movements in both the dominant and non-dominant hands, after 3 and 6 sessions of t-PBM (p>0.05). However, the evaluations of the vertical movements showed that there was a reduction in the execution time of the exercise in the dominant hand, between the initial and the final evaluation and in the non-dominant hand, the reduction in time occurred only between the second and the third evaluation (p <0.05). Finally, the continuous vertical touch test showed a gradual and significant increase in the number of vertical movements in the two groups tested, when compared to the initial and final values (p<0.05). Therefore, we can conclude that t-PBM presents itself as an effective alternative in the improvement of motor coordination, assessed through tests of manual dexterity and intralimbal coordination, in practicing athletes of adapted bocce.