Six-Minute Walk Test in Children With Spastic Cerebral Palsy and Children Developing Typically

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Rehabilitation
• Neurology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Cerebral palsy (CP) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder affecting motor function.
• The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) is a functional mobility assessment tool.
• Standardized reference values for the 6MWT in children with CP are needed for clinical and research applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify 6-minute walk test (6MWT) distances in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP) across Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I to III.
• To compare 6MWT performance between children with CP and typically developing (TD) children.

Main Methods:

• 145 children with CP (GMFCS I-III) and 137 TD children completed the 6MWT.
• Mean 6MWT distances were calculated for each GMFCS level and the TD group.
• Statistical analysis was performed to compare 6MWT scores.

Main Results:

• Mean 6MWT distances were: GMFCS I (439.57 ± 49.81 m), GMFCS II (386.74 ± 66.47 m), GMFCS III (305.28 ± 66.95 m), and TD (528.42 ± 67.77 m).
• Significant differences (P < .001) were observed between all CP GMFCS levels and the TD group.
• A clear decline in 6MWT distance was noted with increasing GMFCS level in children with CP.

Conclusions:

• Reference values for 6MWT distance were established for children with spastic CP (GMFCS I-III) and TD children.
• These values can aid in assessing functional mobility and monitoring progress in pediatric CP populations.
• The findings highlight the impact of motor impairment severity on walking capacity in children with CP.