Multiple relationships between Tardieu, Kinematic data, and Wolf Motor Function Test with children with cerebral palsy

The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) model in order to provide a theoretical foundation of physical therapy diagnosis and intervention. However, the multidirectional relationships between the body structure/function domain variables (spasticity and movement kinematics) and the activity domain variables (e.g. reaching, grasping, folding, and lifting abilities) using the Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) remain unknown.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the directional relationships between the body function and structure domain variables and the activity domain variables using the WMFT.

Nineteen children with cerebral palsy (CP) were recruited from a major rehabilitation center. Standardized clinical tests included Tardieu scale and WMFT, which were used to measure the body function and structure domain (spasticity) and activity domain (reaching, grasping, folding, and lifting abilities). An eight infrared motion capture system (VICON, Oxford, UK) was used to collect kinematics data during reaching, which represent the body function and structure domain variables. Correlational analysis was performed at P < 0.05.

Our results revealed a fair to strong relationship between the body function and structure domain variables (11 out of 18 kinematic data) and activity domain variables (WMFT). However, no significant correlation was observed between the Tardieu score and the kinematics data or between the Tardieu score and the WMFT variables.

The present findings suggest that the body structure/function domain variables (Kinematic data) are closely associated with activity domain variables (WMFT). However, the body function and structure domain variables within Tardieu spasticity and kinematic data variables were not associated each other, nor between Tardieu spasticity and activity domain variables (WMFT), indicating that Tardieu spasticity test does not seem to account for or reflect active kinematic movement or WFMT variables. This finding provides an important clinical insight when developing a comprehensive assessment and intervention for children with CP.