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Published on: January 11, 2016
The relationship between gross motor function and manual ability in cerebral palsy
Maryam Oskoui1, Annette Majnemer, Lynn Dagenais
11Division of Pediatric Neurology, Montreal Children's Hospital-McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Journal of Child Neurology
|November 1, 2012
Summary
Gross motor function and manual ability in children with cerebral palsy show moderate agreement, varying by subtype and cognitive status. This correlation highlights the complexity of cerebral palsy management.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neurology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) affects motor function, impacting daily activities.
- Understanding the relationship between gross motor function and manual ability is crucial for targeted interventions.
- Cerebral palsy presents with diverse subtypes and comorbidities, influencing functional outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the relationship between gross motor function and manual ability in children with cerebral palsy (CP).
- To explore how CP subtypes and comorbidities affect this relationship.
- To provide insights for tailored rehabilitation strategies in pediatric CP.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study of 332 children with CP born between 1999-2008.
- Utilized the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and Manual Ability Classification Scale (MACS).
- Analyzed agreement (kappa) and correlation (Spearman rho) between GMFCS and MACS levels across different CP subtypes and cognitive statuses.
Main Results:
- Overall moderate agreement (kappa=0.457) and strong positive correlation (rho=0.820) between GMFCS and MACS.
- Agreement varied by subtype: moderate (spastic quadriparesis, dyskinetic), fair (spastic diplegia), and poor (spastic hemiplegia).
- Children with cognitive impairment exhibited a higher correlation between gross motor function and manual ability.
Conclusions:
- Gross motor function and manual ability in children with CP are strongly correlated but agreement varies significantly by neurologic subtype.
- Cognitive status is an important factor influencing the relationship between motor functions.
- These findings underscore the need for individualized assessment and intervention planning in pediatric cerebral palsy care.
