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Influence of oromotor functions on motor development and feeding outcomes in children with cerebral palsy
Amira F Ibrahim1, Sara Y Elsebahy2, Monira I Aldhahi3
1Department of Physical Therapy for Pediatrics, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
Insights
Children with cerebral palsy (CP) show improved feeding and oromotor function with better gross motor skills. These findings highlight the importance of gross motor function in enhancing feeding performance and quality of life for children with CP.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Children with cerebral palsy (CP) frequently experience feeding and swallowing difficulties, including aspiration and pulmonary complications.
- These impairments can negatively impact gross motor function, fine motor skills, and oromotor functions essential for eating.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between gross motor function level, feeding ability, oromotor structural dysfunction, tongue thrust, and eating performance in children with CP.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 55 children (ages 2-14) with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy.
- Evaluations included the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), Functional Oral Intake Scale, Orofacial Motor Functional Assessment Scale, Tongue Thrust Rating Scale, and Oral Motor Assessment Scale.
Main Results:
- Better gross motor function correlated with improved feeding levels, orofacial motor function, and feeding performance (p < 0.05).
- No significant relationship was found between gross motor function and tongue thrust.
- Age, weight, and height showed moderate positive correlations with outcomes, but with significant unexplained variability.
Conclusions:
- Gross motor function is a significant factor influencing feeding and orofacial motor function in children with CP.
- Higher feeding levels are associated with better orofacial motor function and feeding performance.
- Understanding these associations can guide interventions to improve feeding outcomes and quality of life for children with CP.
Background/Objective(S):
Children with cerebral palsy often face feeding and swallowing issues, the most common of which include aspiration during feeding and potential pulmonary complications. This impairment can influence other areas of development, including gross motor function, fine motor skills, and oromotor functions involved in feeding and swallowing. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the level of gross motor function, feeding level, oromotor structural dysfunction, tongue thrust, and eating performance in children with cerebral palsy (CP).
Patients/Materials And Methods:
This cross-sectional study included a total of fifty-five children diagnosed with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy, with a mean age of 4.84 years and a mean weight of 12.46 kg. Participants' ages ranged from 2 to 14 years. All patients underwent evaluations to determine their level of gross motor function using the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), feeding level assessed using the Functional Oral Intake Scale, assessment of oromotor structural dysfunction using the Orofacial Motor Functional Assessment Scale, tongue thrust using the Tongue Thrust Rating Scale, and feeding performance using the Oral Motor Assessment Scale.
Results:
Correlational analysis revealed that children with better gross motor function tended to exhibit improved feeding levels, orofacial motor function, and feeding performance (p < 0.05); however, no significant relationship was observed between gross motor function and tongue thrust. Regression models showed moderate positive correlations for age, weight, and height, with respective R2 values of 0.21, 0.23, and 0.28, indicating some influence on outcomes, but with much unexplained variability.
Conclusions:
Gross motor function significantly influences feeding and orofacial motor function. These findings suggest that individuals with higher feeding levels tend to have better overall orofacial motor function and feeding performance. Understanding these relationships can inform interventions aimed at improving feeding outcomes and the overall quality of life of children with CP.
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