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Published on: January 11, 2016
Relationship between gross motor and intellectual function in children with cerebral palsy: a cross-sectional study
Hamid Dalvand1, Leila Dehghan, Mohammad Reza Hadian
1Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Insights
Intellectual function is significantly associated with gross motor skills in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Therapists should consider cognitive assessments alongside motor evaluations for comprehensive care.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of disorders affecting movement and posture.
- Understanding the interplay between motor and cognitive deficits is crucial for effective intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between gross motor function and intellectual abilities in children diagnosed with CP.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 662 children with CP (aged 3-14 years).
- Gross Motor Function Classification System Expanded and Revised (GMFCS E&R) was used for motor assessment.
- Intelligence was evaluated using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence and Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised.
Main Results:
- A significant association was found between GMFCS E&R levels and intellectual function (P<.01).
- Children with spastic quadriplegia showed the highest prevalence of profound intellectual disability.
- Higher GMFCS E&R levels correlated with lower intellectual ratings.
Conclusions:
- Gross motor function, as measured by GMFCS E&R, is significantly linked to intellectual function in children with CP.
- Cognitive assessments should be integrated into the evaluation of gross motor function.
- Findings are relevant for occupational and physical therapists managing CP rehabilitation programs.
Objective:
To explore the relationship between gross motor and intellectual function in children with cerebral palsy (CP).
Design:
A cross-sectional study.
Setting:
Occupational therapy clinic.
Participants:
Children with CP (N=662; 281 girls, 381 boys; age range, 3-14y).
Interventions:
Not applicable.
Main Outcome Measures:
Intelligence testing was carried out by means of the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised. Gross motor function level was determined by the Gross Motor Function Classification System Expanded and Revised (GMFCS E&R).
Results:
Of the children, 10.4% were at level I of the GMFCS E&R, 38% at levels II and III, and 51.5% at levels IV and V. The lowest level of intelligence or profound intellectual disability was found in children with spastic quadriplegia (n=28, 62.2%). Children at the lowest levels (I-IV, GMFCS E&R) obtained higher ratings in terms of intelligence in comparison with children at level V. Based on the present results, the diagnosis was statistically related to the intellectual level as dependent variable (P<.01); accordingly, hypotonic, quadriplegic, and hemiplegic patients had the highest odds to assign higher ratings in abnormal intelligence, respectively. Sex and age were not statistically related to the dependent variable.
Conclusions:
The study results demonstrated a significant association between GMFCS E&R and intellectual function. Therefore, we suggest that particular attention should be paid to the intellectual level in terms of evaluations of gross motor function. These results, in respect, might be interested for occupational and physical therapists who are involved in rehabilitation programs for these children.
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