Selective motor control and gross motor function in bilateral spastic cerebral palsy

To investigate the relationship between selective motor control (SMC), muscle volume, and spasticity with gross motor function in adolescents and young adults with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy (CP).

Eleven male participants with CP (mean age 15y 7mo, standard deviation 3y 6mo, range 12y 1mo-23y 1mo) in Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I to IV took part in this cross-sectional study. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of both lower limbs of all participants were acquired, from which 18 muscles were manually segmented and muscle volume calculated by a single assessor. Muscle volumes were normalized to body mass and averaged between limbs for each individual. SMC was assessed using Selective Control Assessment of the Lower Extremity (SCALE). Spasticity was assessed using the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), and gross motor functional ability was assessed using the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-66).

GMFM-66 was strongly positively correlated to SCALE (r=0.901, p≤0.001) and lower limb muscle volume normalized to body mass (r=0.750, p=0.008). MAS was significantly correlated with GMFM-66 (r=-0.691, p=0.018).

SMC is a major factor influencing gross motor function in individuals with CP. Lower limb muscle volume and spasticity also influence gross motor function.

Selective motor control is a major factor of gross motor function in adolescents and young adults with bilateral cerebral palsy (CP). Gross motor function is related to muscle size and level of spasticity in adolescents and young adults with bilateral CP.