Selecting the appropriate outcome in paediatric physical therapy: how individual treatment goals of children with cerebral palsy are reflected in GMFM-88 and PEDI

OBJECTIVE: To assess to what extent individual physical therapy treatment goals for children with cerebral palsy are reflected in 2 standardized measures: the GMFM-88 and the PEDI.

SUBJECTS: A total of 36 paediatric physical therapists working in primary healthcare with children with cerebral palsy in their caseload.

METHODS: The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health was used as a measure to link individual treatment goals to the GMFM-88 and the PEDI.

RESULTS: Sixty percent of the treatment goals were covered by the 2 measures. Twenty-seven percent and 21% of the goals were reflected in the GMFM-88 and the PEDI, respectively; 12% of the goals were reflected in both instruments. Another 26% of the treatment goals appeared to be partly covered (21% in PEDI and 5% in GMFM-88). Fourteen percent of the goals were not covered by the 2 measures.

CONCLUSION: Individual goals set in a physical therapy practice for children with cerebral palsy can be linked, to a large extent, to items and activities of 2 standardized measures.