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International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health in a cohort of children with cognitive, motor, and

Mariamalia Battaglia1, Emanuela Russo, Alessandra Bolla

  • 1E. Medea Scientific Institute, Conegliano Research Centre, Via Costa Alta 37, 31015 Conegliano, Treviso, Italy.

Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology
|February 21, 2004
PubMed

Insights

The World Health Organization (WHO) International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) is applicable and reliable for pediatric neurorehabilitation. However, adaptations are needed to fully capture children's developmental abilities.

Area of Science:

  • Rehabilitation Medicine
  • Disability Studies
  • Pediatric Health

Background:

  • The World Health Organization (WHO) International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) offers a universal framework for health and functioning.
  • Its application in pediatric neurorehabilitation is promising but underexplored, particularly for children with complex disabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the applicability and reliability of the ICF in pediatric neurorehabilitation.
  • To assess the correlation between ICF classifications and established functional measures in children.
  • To identify limitations of the ICF for assessing child development in neurorehabilitation.

Main Methods:

  • The ICF was applied to 40 children (aged 3-18 years) with diverse disabilities undergoing neurorehabilitation.
  • Applicability, reliability, and correlation with Verbal IQ, Gross Motor Function Measure, and Functional Independence Measure were assessed.

Main Results:

  • The ICF demonstrated applicability and reliability in this pediatric neurorehabilitation cohort.
  • Strong correlations were found between ICF components and established functional outcome measures.
  • Certain ICF Activity and Participation components inadequately represent the developmental trajectory of childhood abilities.

Conclusions:

  • The ICF is a valuable clinical tool for pediatric neurorehabilitation, proving applicable and reliable.
  • Specific adaptations of the ICF are recommended to better address the unique developmental aspects of functioning and disability in children.

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