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Relationships between respiratory muscle strength and daily living function in children with cerebral palsy

Hui-Yi Wang1, Chien-Chih Chen, Shih-Fen Hsiao

  • 1Department of Physical Therapy, Kaohsiung Medical University, No. 100, Shih-Chuan 1st Rd., Kaohsiung, Taiwan. hywang@kmu.edu.tw

Research in Developmental Disabilities
|April 17, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Children with cerebral palsy (CP) have weaker respiratory muscles, impacting daily living functions. Improving respiratory strength may enhance self-care and social abilities in children with CP.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Rehabilitation Medicine
  • Respiratory Physiology

Background:

  • Cerebral palsy (CP) is a prevalent childhood motor disability.
  • Children with CP often experience respiratory complications due to reduced respiratory muscle strength.
  • Identifying factors influencing daily living function is crucial for effective intervention in CP.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the relationship between respiratory muscle strength and daily living function in children with CP.
  • To compare respiratory muscle strength between children with CP and typically developing children.
  • To determine the predictive value of respiratory muscle strength on functional skills and caregiver assistance in CP.

Main Methods:

  • Participants included 30 children with CP and 30 typically developing children.
  • Respiratory muscle strength was assessed using maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP).
  • Daily living function was evaluated using the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI), including Functional Skills Scales (PEDI-FSS) and Caregiver Assistance Scale (PEDI-CAS).

Main Results:

  • Children with CP exhibited significantly lower MIP and MEP compared to controls (p=.003 and p=.001).
  • MIP and MEP positively correlated with self-care and social domains of PEDI-FSS in the CP group (r=.43-.53, p<.05).
  • Respiratory muscle strength explained 19% of variance in PEDI-FSS self-care and 15% in PEDI-FSS social domains.

Conclusions:

  • Respiratory muscle strength is positively associated with self-care and social daily living functions in children with CP.
  • Assessing and improving respiratory muscle strength should be considered in rehabilitation strategies for children with CP.
  • Enhanced respiratory function may lead to improved overall daily living capabilities in this population.

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