Segmental trunk control and developmental parameters in children with cerebral palsy aged 24 to 42 months: A
Zeynep Arikan1,2, Bilge Nur Yardimci-Lokmanoğlu3, Akmer Mutlu3
1Graduate School of Health Sciences, Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Division, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Türkiye.
Insights
Children with cerebral palsy (CP) show a strong link between trunk control and development. Improving trunk control in CP may enhance motor, cognitive, and language skills.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) significantly impacts motor, cognitive, and language development.
- Segmental trunk control is crucial for functional abilities in children.
- Understanding the relationship between trunk control and development is vital for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the correlation between segmental trunk control and developmental parameters in children with CP.
- To compare trunk control and developmental outcomes between children with CP and typically developing (TD) peers.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 63 children (24-42 months), including 30 with CP (GMFCS I-V) and 33 TD children.
- Evaluated motor, cognitive, and language development using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition.
- Assessed trunk control using the Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control.
Main Results:
- Strong positive correlations were found between segmental trunk control and motor, cognitive, and language development in children with CP (Spearman r: 0.767-0.927, P < .001).
- Children with CP demonstrated significantly lower segmental trunk control and developmental scores compared to TD peers (P < .001).
Conclusions:
- Segmental trunk control is a key factor in the overall development of children with CP.
- These findings support the use of trunk control interventions to improve motor, cognitive, and language skills in children with CP.
Abstract:
This study aimed (1) to investigate the relationship between segmental trunk control and motor, cognitive, and language development parameters in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and (2) to compare segmental trunk control levels and motor, language, and cognitive development in children with CP and typically developing (TD) peers. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted with 63 children aged between 24 and 42 months, including those with typical and atypical development. The atypical development group included 30 children with CP ranged from Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I to V (70.0% males, median age: 29 months, interquartile range: 25-36 months), and 33 children in the TD group (69.7% males, median age: 29 months, interquartile range: 26-36 months) included age-matched. Motor, language, and cognitive development domains were evaluated using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition, and the level of trunk control was evaluated using the Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control. In children with CP, segmental trunk control was found to be strongly correlated with motor, cognitive, and language development (all P < .001, Spearman r ranged from 0.767-0.927). Furthermore, children with CP had lower segmental trunk control levels and cognitive, language, and motor development results than their TD peers (all P < .001). The strong relationship between segmental trunk control levels and developmental parameters can guide clinicians and therapists in planning and implementing intervention programs designed for children with CP who have difficulties in trunk control.
