The Effects of Family Functioning on Gross Motor Function, Activity, and Participation in Children with Cerebral
Muhammed Samed Dalakçi1, Anıl Özüdoğru2, Caner Kararti2
1Kırşehir Ahi Evran University Vocational School of Health Services, Kırşehir, Turkey.
Insights
Family functioning impacts children with cerebral palsy (CP) activity and participation, but not gross motor function. Caregiver education and home type are key factors influencing outcomes in children with CP.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Rehabilitation
- Neuroscience
- Family Studies
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) significantly affects motor function, activity, and participation.
- Family functioning (FF) is increasingly recognized as a crucial factor in child development and rehabilitation outcomes.
- Understanding the interplay between family dynamics and child function is vital for effective intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of family functioning on gross motor function, activity, and participation in children with cerebral palsy (CP).
- To identify specific family and demographic factors influencing the functional outcomes of children with CP.
Main Methods:
- Sixty-seven children with spastic diplegic CP were assessed.
- Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) evaluated motor capacity.
- Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) assessed activity and participation.
- Data on home type, income, child demographics, and caregiver characteristics were collected.
Main Results:
- Children in detached houses showed higher PEDI mobility scores than those in apartments.
- Children aged 12-18 with two siblings had higher PEDI social function and self-care scores.
- Caregiver age (30-65 years) and higher education levels positively impacted PEDI scores.
- Family income and child's gender did not significantly affect PEDI scores.
- Family functioning variables did not significantly impact GMFCS scores.
Conclusions:
- Family functioning, particularly caregiver education and living situation, influences activity and participation in children with CP.
- Gross motor function (GMFCS) appears less directly affected by the studied family functioning variables.
- Healthcare providers should collaborate with families, leveraging strengths and addressing needs for comprehensive intervention plans.
Objectives:
The present study aimed to investigate whether family functioning (FF) could impact gross motor function, activity, and participation in children with cerebral palsy (CP).
Materials & Methods:
Sixty-seven children with spastic diplegic CP who were admitted to the Special Education and Rehabilitation Clinic were included in the study. The guidelines of the American Academy of Neurology were followed for the diagnosis of spastic diplegia. The type of home where the family lives, the family's average income, the child's age, gender, and number of siblings, and the age and educational level of the child's primary caregiver were recorded. The gross motor function capacity of children with CP was assessed with the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). The Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) was used to evaluate activity and participation performance.
Results:
The children living in detached houses had statistically higher PEDI mobility levels than those living in apartments (p < 0.05). PEDI's social function and self-care levels were higher in 12 to 18-year-old children with two siblings (p < 0.05). The age and educational status of the primary caregiver were found to have an important impact on the PEDI scores. According to the results, social function and self-care levels were higher in children whose primary caregivers were 30 to 65 years old and had high levels of education above high school (p < 0.05 The effects of family income and gender on PEDI scores were statistically non-significant (p˃ 0.05). Variables related to family functioning had no statistically significant effect on GMFCS scores (p˃ 0.05).
Conclusion:
These factors can enable healthcare providers to collaborate with the families to develop more comprehensive intervention plans emphasizing family strengths and supporting their needs.
