Kontakt 2009, 11(1):56-63 | DOI: 10.32725/kont.2009.008

Effects of canistherapy on a child with poliomyelitisHealth and Social Sciences

Alena Lejčarová^1,*, Martina Skálová²

¹ Univerzita Karlova v Praze, Fakulta tělovýchovy a sportu

² Nemocnice Na Homolce, Praha

Canistherapy finds most frequently its applications as a supplementary method in persons with long-term course of the treatment with non-beneficial prognosis. One of forms of canistherapy - positioning - is particularly suitable for children with severe forms of poliomyelitis and those with combined defects. The target of the work presented here was to determine the ability to relax in a boy of 7 years of age with dystonic-dyskinetic form of poliomyelitis and severe retardation of the psychomotor development in the course of a canistherapeutic lesson; whether or possibly after what time period the relaxation of his muscle tone will be accomplished and emotional harmony will be improved and whether regular repeating of canistherapeutic lessons can permanently improve the child condition. The work is based on the technique of participating observation. The parameters investigated were dyskinetic motions of the head and limbs of the child, the frequency of which was a parameter of the physical and mental condition within the framework of canistherapeutic positioning. The observation was carried out in the course of ten subsequent lessons held at one-week intervals except one case when the child was ill. Thanks to positioning, a reduction was achieved in the rate of dyskinetic motions to about half the baseline value, and several times, even complete vanishing of dyskinesia was temporarily achieved. Long-term reduction in the rate to dyskinetic motions thanks to canistherapy was, however, not demonstrated. Particular canistherapeutic lessons contributed to the general relaxation of the child and relief of the muscle tension in palms and soles of the foot. After the lessons, the child was satisfied and always more interested in communication with the surroundings. The contribution of canistherapy or positioning within the framework of the rehabilitation programme of the boy was definitely demonstrated, but it is necessary to emphasize that the data acquired and conclusions derived cannot be generalized for the whole population of children with this form of poliomyelitis, since in individuals with the same diagnosis, there are differences in effects of the contact with the dog.

Keywords: canistherapy; positioning; poliomyelitis; dyskinesia; dog

Received: March 20, 2009; Accepted: April 15, 2009; Published: May 27, 2009  Show citation