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Published on: January 11, 2016
Longitudinal study of motor performance and its relation to motor capacity in children with cerebral palsy
Mirjam van Eck1, Annet J Dallmeijer, Jeanine M Voorman
1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. m.vaneck@vumc.nl
Insights
Improving motor capacity in children with cerebral palsy (CP) enhances their motor performance. Interventions should combine capacity training with environmental and equipment adaptations for better outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Rehabilitation
- Neurology
- Motor Control
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) affects motor function in children.
- Understanding the progression of motor skills and capacity is crucial for effective intervention.
- Longitudinal studies are needed to track changes over time.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe motor performance and capacity changes over 3 years in children with CP.
- To analyze the relationship between motor capacity and motor performance.
- To inform targeted interventions for children with CP.
Main Methods:
- 104 children with CP (aged 9-13) participated.
- Motor performance assessed via Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales.
- Motor capacity measured using Gross Motor Function Measure-66 (GMFM-66) annually.
Main Results:
- Motor performance varied by Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level, with milder cases showing better outcomes.
- Improvements in motor capacity were significantly linked to enhanced motor performance over the 3-year study period.
Conclusions:
- Enhancing motor capacity is key for improving motor performance in children with CP.
- Environmental adaptations and mobility equipment are vital components of intervention.
- Further research needed to address limitations in assessment tools.
Aim:
The aim of this study was to describe the course of motor performance and analyse its relationship with motor capacity over a period of 3 years in 104 children (66 males, 38 females; 43% of those initially invited) with cerebral palsy (CP) aged 9, 11, and 13 years at the start of the study. Forty-one had hemiplegia, 42 diplegia, 21 tetraplegia; 83 spastic CP, 17 dyskinetic/mixed, and four ataxic CP. Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels were I, n=49; II, n=15; III, n=10; IV, n=12; and V, n=18.
Method:
Motor performance (what a child does do) was determined using the gross motor skills subscale of the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales and motor capacity [what a child can do] was determined using the Gross Motor Function Measure-66 (GMFM-66). The measurements were performed annually over a period of 3 years.
Results:
The course of motor performance in mildly affected children (GMFCS level I) was more favorable than in more severely affected children. An increase in motor capacity was significantly related to an improvement in motor performance over the 3 years.
Interpretation:
Training motor capacity in children with CP seems to be important for improving motor performance. Interventions should also focus on environmental adaptations and improving mobility equipment. A limitation of this study was that the instruments used did not contain the same items on capacity and performance level.
