Abstract

The cognitive development of children requires the exploration of the environment. In children with neuromuscular diseases this exploration is limited, compromising their development. The aim of this study is to assess a model of low-cost audiovisual stimulation. Two audiovisual stimulation portable vehicle (VEP, in Spanish), were used to apply the intervention, as they were appropriate for the patients. In the intervention, 9 children (age median=42.6 months; range=16.99) with muscular disease were included. The program of stimulation lasted 20 days. In order to assess the intervention, an eye-tracker device was used to register the performance in a visual pursuit task. In addition, responsiveness was assessed. In the visual pursuit task, three patients (42,8%) diminished the latency in 61,9% (median: 13s; range: 9-54,5 s). Regarding the amount of errors: 5 out 7 participants (71,4%) diminished the amount of errors in 56% (median: 5 errors; range: 2,3-5,8 errors). In regards of the cause-effect task, two out of four subjects showed a better performance, being more responsive to the environmental stimulation. The results show that children are benefited from the intervention, even the younger ones. This intervention should be part of the attention of children with mobility limitations.