Neurophysiological Response of Adults with Cerebral Palsy during Inclusive Dance with Wheelchair

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Electroencephalography (EEG) has been considered a useful methodology for the evaluation of cerebral palsy therapeutic strategies. Cerebral palsy is a neurodevelopment disorder caused by a nonprogressive damage to the developing brain. In this sense, the aim of the present article is to study the EEG response of people with cerebral palsy during an inclusive dance with a wheelchair as well as to compare EEG power spectra between baseline, inclusive dances and listening to music. A total of 16 adults with cerebral palsy participated in three conditions: baseline, listening to music and performing an inclusive dance choreography with wheelchair. Results showed higher brain electrical activity at theta, alpha, and beta bands in dance conditions when compared to a baseline. ABSTRACT: A total of 16 adults with cerebral palsy (age = 37.50 (7.78)) participated in this cross-sectional study. The electroencephalographic (EEG) data were recorded under three conditions: (1) baseline; (2) while listening to music; (3) while performing inclusive dance choreography with wheelchair. EEG data was banded into theta (4–7 Hz), alpha (8–12 Hz), and beta (13–30 Hz). Significantly higher values of theta, alpha, and beta bands were found in dance conditions than in the baseline. Significant differences between baseline and listening to music conditions were not found in any of the power spectrum bands. Differences between listening to music conditions and inclusive dance with wheelchair were observed in theta and beta power spectrum band studies in the F4 electrode. Inclusive dance with wheelchair increases theta, alpha, and beta power spectra when compared to baseline. In addition, the beta power spectrum is greater only during inclusive dance conditions, which could be modulated by emotions. However, future studies should corroborate this hypothesis.