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Physical activity in non-ambulatory toddlers with cerebral palsy
Julie M Orlando1, Samuel Pierce1, Mayumi Mohan2
1The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Department of Physical Therapy, 3401 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States.
Insights
Physical activity in non-ambulatory toddlers with cerebral palsy (CP) during floor-play was measured. Findings indicate no significant relationship between physical activity, gross motor function, and participation in these children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Movement Science
Background:
- Children with cerebral palsy (CP) exhibit lower physical activity levels compared to peers.
- Limited research exists on self-initiated physical activity in non-ambulatory toddlers with CP.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify self-initiated physical activity in non-ambulatory toddlers with CP.
- To examine the relationship between physical activity, gross motor function, and participation.
Main Methods:
- Participants aged 1-3 years used wearable tri-axial accelerometers during home floor-play.
- Gross Motor Function Measure-66 and Child Engagement in Daily Life questionnaire assessed function and participation.
Main Results:
- Analysis included 20 participants with a mean of 229 minutes of floor-play.
- No statistically significant relationship was found between physical activity and gross motor function (r=0.20, p=0.39).
- No significant relationship was observed between physical activity and participation (r=0.05-0.09, p=0.71-0.84).
Conclusions:
- Physical activity during floor-play is not correlated with gross motor function or participation in non-ambulatory toddlers with CP.
- Independent assessment of physical activity, gross motor function, and participation is recommended for clinicians and researchers.
Background:
Children with cerebral palsy are less likely to be physically active than their peers, however there is limited evidence regarding self-initiated physical activity in toddlers who are not able, or who may never be able, to walk.
Aims:
The aim of this study was to measure self-initiated physical activity and its relationship to gross motor function and participation in non-ambulatory toddlers with cerebral palsy.
Methods And Procedures:
Participants were between the ages of 1-3 years. Physical activity during independent floor-play at home was recorded using a wearable tri-axial accelerometer worn on the child's thigh. The Gross Motor Function Measure-66 and the Child Engagement in Daily Life, a parent-reported questionnaire of participation, were administered.
Outcomes And Results:
Data were analyzed from the twenty participants who recorded at least 90 min of floor-play (mean: 229 min), resulting in 4598 total floor-play minutes. The relationship between physical activity and gross motor function was not statistically significant (r = 0.20; p = 0.39), nor were the relationships between physical activity and participation (r = 0.05-0.09; p = 0.71-0.84).
Conclusions And Implications:
The results suggest physical activity during floor-play is not related to gross motor function or participation in non-ambulatory toddlers with cerebral palsy. Clinicians and researchers should independently measure physical activity, gross motor function, and participation.
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