CIF e paralisia cerebral: a influência dos fatores ambientais nas atividades e participação social

Abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate the relationship between environmental factors and activities and social participation of children and youngsters with cerebral palsy, according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). This study is descriptive and cross-sectional. Fourteen children and youngsters with cerebral palsy were evaluated between two and 14 years old and classified by GMFCS. Data were collected through the application of questionnaires with their parents or caregivers, which aimed to analyze the clinical and social history of each patient, the sociodemographic data, and the environmental factors that influenced the activities and social participation of these individuals. The information collected was analyzed descriptively. GMFCS level V was predominant in the study. Accessibility was identified as a barrier to the five domains of activities and social participation evaluated: daily routine, displacement by different places, interpersonal interactions, school education and recreation and leisure. The environmental factors Family and Friends were singled out as the greatest facilitators. We concluded that ICF is useful for assessing the influence of environmental factors on social activities and participation and that physical, social and attitudinal context in which children and youngsters with cerebral palsy are inserted should be evaluated, not limiting evaluation to functions and affected body structures.