Factors associated with spoken language comprehension in children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review

To identify factors that are relevant for spoken language comprehension in children with cerebral palsy (CP), following the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health - Children and Youth (ICF-CY) framework.

A systematic literature search was conducted using the electronic literature databases PubMed, Embase, PsycInfo, and Cochrane Library, from January 1967 to December 2019. Included studies involved children with CP, results regarding spoken language comprehension, and analysis of at least one associated factor. Factors were classified within ICF-CY domains.

Twenty-one studies met inclusion criteria. Factors in the ICF-CY domains of body functions and structure were most frequently reported. White brain matter abnormalities, motor type, functional mobility, and intellectual functioning appear to be relevant factors in spoken language comprehension in CP. Factors in the domain of activities and participation, as well as contextual factors, have rarely been studied in the context of spoken language comprehension in CP.

Most factors known to be important for spoken language comprehension in typically developing children and/or known to be susceptible to change by interventions are understudied in CP.