Cerebral palsy describes conditions affecting body movement and muscle coordination, according to Disabled World, caused by brain damage. Symptoms vary from patient to patient, but can consist of involuntary movements and difficulty performing fine motor tasks. Post-rehabilitation activities concentrate on continuous improvement and strengthening of everyday skills.
Keeping the Beat
Musical rhythms can help cerebral palsy patients of all ages improve and enhance motor skills. Rhythms can be used as a form of external timekeeping for body movement, according to United Cerebral Palsy. Rhythms provide a timing cue which aids in recognition and speech pacing. Rhythmic movement involves keeping beat by either tapping your foot, tapping a pencil or moving your head. All these maneuvers can help improve motor skills. Musical rhythms can be used as a mechanism to target and integrate both motor and visual skill areas. Rhythms can also be used to encourage overall muscle relaxation, which can assist with improving head posture. Performing activities while integrating a song improves motor skills. Touching different parts of the body while singing along to a song about the affected body parts will stimulate mind and body. Singing can improve breathing capacity and auditory functioning levels. Using an upbeat tune, such as a march, can improve gross motor skills. Gross motor skills include reaching, walking and/or simple aerobic activities such as marching.
Water Activities
Water activities can be engaged in by cerebral palsy patients, according to the Cerebral Palsy Source. Water supports body weight, making body movement easier than on land. By supporting body weight, less stress will be placed on the joints, which allows for easier maneuverability for the cerebral palsy patient. Water prevents falling if the cerebral palsy patient loses balance, a common symptom of cerebral palsy. Water also provides a natural resistance which makes strengthening muscles easier than on land. Perform water activities such as water-walking to make it easier on joints, notes the Arthritis Foundation. Get into waist or chest-deep water, holding onto the pool's side or another person, if needed. Walk one length of the pool using your usual walking gait. Relax for one minute, then walk back to your starting place. Other water activities include water aerobics, jogging, calisthenics and/or stretching.
Playing a Musical Instrument
Playing a musical instrument can improve and stimulate motor skills, according to United Cerebral palsy. Playing wind instruments can aid in increasing oral motor strength and lung capacity -- increased breath support will result. Wind instruments include recorders, clarinets, flutes, saxophones, whistles and horns. Playing wind instruments encourages auditory cues along with finger and tongue coordination. Use drums and other rhythm instruments to encourage speech articulation and pacing. Rhythm instruments can improve fine motor skills by using different grips and hand postures. Rhythm instruments include percussion triangles, castanets, drums with mallets, tambourines, egg shakers, maracas and rhythm sticks.
