Caminhos metodológicos e desfechos de funcionalidade do programa intensivo HABIT-ILE em crianças e adolescentes com paralisia cerebral unilateral: uma revisão sistemática

Abstract

Cerebral palsy is considered a neurodevelopmental condition with early onset, characterized by limitations and restrictions in activities and participation across various life contexts. The Hand-Arm Bimanual Intensive Training Including Lower Extremity (HABIT-ILE) is an intensive therapy program based on the acquisition of motor skills focused on bimanual activities, combined with postural control and stimulation of gross motor function in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy. Objective: To describe and analyze the methodological approaches and functional outcomes of the intensive HABIT-ILE therapy program in children and adolescents with unilateral cerebral palsy. Methods: This study conducted a literature review in the PubMed database, considering publications from 2014 to 2025 and randomized clinical trials with the population defined by the authors. Results: A total of 28 articles were found, and after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, only three studies met the requirements. The three included studies showed significantly positive results regarding the application of HABIT-ILE (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The selected studies were characterized according to the methodological principles of HABIT-ILE, such as program intensity and duration, functional goal orientation, activities involving upper and lower limbs, implementation in a playful and group environment, use of shaping, voluntary and repetitive practice, and continuous reassessment. Further studies are recommended to expand the scientific evidence and to compare HABIT-ILE with other therapeutic approaches.