The role of attention in neurofunctional physical therapy

Abstract

This study presents a theoretical review of attention in the creation of strategies of movement control from the perspective of the systemic paradigm applied to motor behavior and its relationship with the motor control approach in neurofunctional physical therapy. The following databases were consulted Medline, PubMed, LILACS, SciELO, and PEDro, including articles from 1990 to 2009. Research has shown the understanding of attention as a mediator agent between a subject and the environment in the process of self-organization of organic sub-systems during the realization of a motor task. Similarities between this theoretical perspective of attention and the assumptions that support the motor control in the neurofunctional physical therapy approach have been identified, evidencing paths of scientific investigation for a better comprehension about the attention role on neuromotor system adaptation of individuals with neurological lesions and its efficiency to promote human functional movement.