Relationship between gross motor capacity and daily-life mobility in children with cerebral palsy

Dirk-Wouter Smits, Jan Willem Gorter, Marjolijn Ketelaar, Petra Em Van Schie, Annet J Dallmeijer, Eline Lindeman, Marian J Jongmans

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

AIM: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between gross motor capacity and daily-life mobility in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and to explore the moderation of this relationship by the severity of CP.

METHOD: Cross-sectional analysis in a cohort study with a clinic-based sample of children with CP (n=116; 76 males, 40 females; mean age 6 y 3 mo, SD 12 mo, range 4 y 8 mo-7 y 7 mo) was performed. Gross motor capacity was assessed by the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-66). Daily-life mobility was assessed using the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI): Functional Skills Scale (FSS mobility) and Caregiver Assistance Scale (CAS mobility). Severity of CP was classified by the Gross Motor Function Classification System (48% level I, 17% level II, 15% level III, 8% level IV, 12% level V), type of motor impairment (85% spastic, 12% dyskinetic, 3% ataxic), and limb distribution (36% unilateral, 49% bilateral spastic).

RESULTS: Scores on the GMFM-66 explained 90% and 84% respectively, of the variance of scores on PEDI-FSS mobility and PEDI-CAS mobility. Limb distribution moderated the relationship between scores on the GMFM-66 and the PEDI-FSS mobility, revealing a weaker relationship in children with unilateral spastic CP (24% explained variance) than in children with bilateral spastic CP (91% explained variance).

INTERPRETATION: In children aged 4 to 7 years with unilateral spastic CP, dissociation between gross motor capacity and daily-life mobility can be observed, just as in typically developing peers.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)e60-6
JournalDevelopmental Medicine and Child Neurology
Volume52
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2010

Keywords

  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Disability Evaluation
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Movement Disorders
  • Questionnaires
  • Severity of Illness Index

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