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Relationship between gross motor function and daily functional skill in children with cerebral palsy
Tae Gun Kwon1, Sook-Hee Yi, Tae Won Kim
1Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Insights
Gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy (CP) is linked to daily skills. Limb distribution and hand function significantly influence this relationship, especially in unilateral CP cases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neurology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) impacts gross motor function and daily living skills.
- Understanding the interplay between motor abilities and functional independence is crucial for intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between gross motor function and daily functional skills in children with CP.
- To determine if factors like the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), Bimanual Fine Motor Function (BFMF), neuromotor type, and limb distribution of CP moderate this relationship.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 112 children diagnosed with CP, aged 4 to 7 years and 7 months.
- Gross motor function was assessed using the Gross Motor Function Measure-66 (GMFM-66).
- Daily functional skills were evaluated with the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory-Functional Skills Scale (PEDI-FSS).
Main Results:
- GMFM-66 scores accounted for substantial variance in PEDI-FSS scores across self-care (49.7%), mobility (67.4%), and social function (26.1%) domains.
- Limb distribution and BFMF levels II-IV significantly moderated the GMFM-66 and PEDI-FSS self-care relationship.
- Limb distribution also significantly moderated the association between GMFM-66 and PEDI-FSS mobility.
Conclusions:
- Limb distribution and hand function are critical considerations when assessing gross motor function and functional skills in children with CP.
- These factors are particularly important for children with unilateral CP, highlighting the need for tailored evaluations and interventions.
Objective:
To investigate the relationship between gross motor function and daily functional skill in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and to explore how this relationship is moderated by the Gross Motor Function Classification System, Bimanual Fine Motor Function (BFMF), neuromotor types, and limb distribution of CP.
Methods:
A cross-sectional survey of 112 children with CP (range, 4 years to 7 years and 7 months) was performed. Gross motor function was assessed with the Gross Motor Function Measure-66 (GMFM-66) and functional skill was assessed with the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory-Functional Skills Scale (PEDI-FSS).
Results:
GMFM-66 scores explained 49.7%, 67.4%, and 26.1% of variance in the PEDI-FSS scores in the self-care, mobility, and social function domains, respectively. Significant moderation by the distribution of palsy and BFMF classification levels II, III, and IV was found in the relationship between GMFM-66 and PEDI-FSS self-care. Further significant moderation by the distribution of palsy was also observable in the relationship between GMFM-66 and PEDI-FSS mobility.
Conclusion:
These findings suggest that limb distribution and hand function must be considered when evaluating gross motor function and functional skills in children with CP, especially in unilateral CP.
