INTRODUCTION: Among Parkinson's disease (PD) motor disabilities, postural and balance alterations are important parameters to physical therapists who need to choose specific, targeted therapies for their patients. Among many therapy options, virtual therapy is studied as to whether it can be a viable rehabilitation method. OBJECTIVE: To verify the applicability of virtual rehabilitation in PD patients for the improvement of their balance and quality of life. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Six volunteers, diagnosed to be in Stages II and III of PD (Hoehn and Yahr Scale), were recruited for this study. Patients (65 ± 13 years old) participated in activities involving Wii Fit, for a total of twelve interventions, twice per week. Clinical and qualitative methods were used for the data collection for the initial and final evaluations: Borg's Scale, Berg Functional Balance Scale, Time Up and Go, anterior and lateral functional reach and Nottingham's Scale were performed during the study. Penguin Slide, Ski Slalom, Soccer Heading and Table Tilt were the Wii games selected as a form of virtual therapy. RESULTS: The collected data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon test. Motor skill, functional capacities and quality of life were analyzed as variables of the patients' balance. Statistically significant differences were found in the following tests: Borg's Scale (p = 0.0464), Berg Functional Balance Scale (p = 0.0277), lateral functional reach to the right (p = 0.0431*) and lateral functional reach to the left (p = 0.0277). CONCLUSION: It is believed that exercises with virtual reality therapy can be a useful tool to improve the balance in PD patients.

Resumo Este estudo objetiva identificar os fatores que dificultam o acesso de crianças e adolescentes com deficiência física ao tratamento fisioterapêutico, em estabelecimentos credenciados ao Sistema Único de Saúde em Curitiba, Paraná, Brasil. Trata-se de um estudo transversal que entrevistou gestores, fisioterapeutas, pais e/ou responsáveis por crianças com deficiência física. A percepção de dificuldades de cada um dos grupos de entrevistados foi comparada por meio de estatísticas descritivas, considerando as dimensões: disponibilidade, poder de pagamento, informação e aceitabilidade. Considerando a dimensão disponibilidade, identificaram-se como dificuldades: distância entre o estabelecimento e a residência dos usuários, pouca oferta de serviços e fila de espera. Em relação ao poder de pagamento, observou-se a falta de recursos financeiros entre os pais. Nas dimensões informação e aceitabilidade, a falta de informação acerca do diagnóstico e a negação foram referidas pelos participantes. Conclui-se que o serviço de fisioterapia não tem sido garantido em tempo favorável ao desenvolvimento motor das crianças, de modo que se faz necessário rever a organização e distribuição dos serviços, bem como são essenciais políticas efetivas que garantam a sua utilização.

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One of the predominant effects of PD is alteration of motor skills, which leads to compromised posture and physical balance. Aquatic physical therapy, performed in a heated pool, can serve as one of intervention alternatives for PD carriers. Aim: To analyze the effects of the Halliwick Concept hydrotherapy in acquisition of motor skills in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. Methods: A clinical, qualitative method was used to evaluate 7 volunteers (59.85 ± 7.92 years of age, both male and female), who were in II and III stages of PD according to the Hoehn & Yar Scale. The participants were evaluated in the start and end of the interventions phase, and then the evaluation was conducted interventions in a heated pool (32˚C-34˚C) twice a week, each session lasting approximately 30 minutes, totaling 10 sessions. The Halliwick Principles' 3phase 10-point methods were used for acquisition of aquatic motor skills. Results: They indicate an improvement in their ability to float in prone and supine positions (P = 0.04 *) and longitudinal rotation in the bipedal position. Conclusion: The activation of motor control improved the motor skills of the participants.