Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 4, 2025
Author Spotlight: Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined with Movement Observation in Cerebral Palsy
Published on: August 9, 2024
Determinants of functional mobility in children with cerebral palsy in three different environments: A registry-based
Maysoun Saleh1,2, Nihad A Almasri1, Sana M N Abu-Dahab3
1Department of Physiotherapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.
Insights
Functional mobility in children with cerebral palsy (CP) varies by environmental context. Child impairments and interventions significantly influence mobility across home, school, and community settings.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Rehabilitation
- Movement Science
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Functional mobility in children with cerebral palsy (CP) exhibits significant variability.
- Mobility is influenced by a complex interplay of child-specific factors and environmental influences.
- Understanding these determinants in natural settings (home, school, community) is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate functional mobility patterns in children with CP across home, school, and community environments.
- To identify the key child-associated impairments and interventions that determine functional mobility.
- To explore the relationship between CP severity and mobility strategies.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 107 children with CP (mean age 6.4 years).
- Functional Mobility Scale assessed as the primary outcome.
- Ordinal logistic regression analyses were used to explore determinants, including child impairments and interventions.
Main Results:
- Children classified under Gross Motor Functional Classification System-Expanded and Revised (GMFCS-E&R) level I ambulated independently across all environments.
- Mobility methods varied for GMFCS-E&R levels II/III depending on the environment.
- GMFCS-E&R levels IV/V were associated with wheelchair use or lack of functional mobility.
- Determinants included visual impairments, scoliosis, and interventions like Botox, spasticity medications, and orthoses.
Conclusions:
- Child impairments and interventions are critical considerations for optimizing mobility solutions for children with CP in diverse settings.
- Further research is warranted to investigate other environmental and personal factors impacting functional mobility.
- Tailoring interventions based on individual needs and environmental contexts is essential for improving functional mobility in children with CP.
Background:
Functional mobility in children with cerebral palsy (CP) varies widely and is affected by many factors related to the child and environment. Understanding this variability in child's natural environments: home, school, and community; and its determinants are important for effective child management.
Methods:
This cross-sectional study aims to investigate the functional mobility of children with CP within home, school, and community, and explore its determinants. Participants were 107 children with CP (aged 6.4 ± 2.9 years). Functional Mobility Scale was the outcome variable. Potential determinants included child-associated impairments and interventions. Three ordinal logistic regression analyses were conducted.
Results:
Children in Gross Motor Functional Classification System-Expanded and Revised level I walked without assistive devices in all environments, while children in levels II/III used different mobility methods in different environments. Children in levels IV/V used a wheelchair or had no form of functional mobility in all environments. Determinants of mobility varied across different environments but included impairments (visual impairments, scoliosis) and interventions (Botox, medications for spasticity, orthoses).
Conclusions:
Child impairments and interventions received should be considered when exploring mobility options for children with CP in different environments. Further research is needed to examine other environmental and personal factors affecting mobility.
