KNOWLEDGE AND APPLICATION OF GMFM (GROSS MOTOR FUNCTION MEASUREMENT BY NEUROPEDIATIC PHYSIOTHERAPISTS) (Atena Editora)

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The GMFM is a validated scale that was developed to quantitatively assess changes in the gross motor functions of children and adolescents. It is used by neuropediatric physiotherapists in their clinical practice and for scientific purposes. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the knowledge and application of GMFM by neuropediatric physiotherapists. METHODOLOGY: This is a field research, descriptive, exploratory of a transversal nature and with a quantitative approach. It was carried out on GOOGLE FORMS, through an online questionnaire. Neuropediatric professionals from Fortaleza participated in the research. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 40 participants, 95% female, 90% with specialization, 42.5% with training time between 1 and 5 years, 37.5% with more than 5 years of experience in the area. All participants reported knowing the scale, 60% knew it during their undergraduate studies. 55% of participants did not take the scale course, 72.5% of professionals apply it in clinical practice, 37.5% use the scale almost always and 75% do not use it for scientific purposes. The scale is most used in the assessment of children with cerebral palsy with 95%, 57% use the scale with another instrument, Among the participants 62.5% are confident when applying the scale, the application time was reported as the biggest obstacle with 42.5 %. The participants showed good knowledge about GMFM, among the five questions asked, it was found that in four, the majority of participants got the answers right. CONCLUSION: we concluded that although there is a prevalence of professionals who know the scale and apply it in the clinic, few professionals do not apply it for scientific purposes, which makes more in-depth studies on assessment instruments in the pediatric area difficult. It is suggested that future work be carried out to reinforce the importance of these professionals when applying the scale, having better knowledge and being more qualified, in order to publicize the importance of this instrument in the gross motor assessment of children with motor deficits.