Mobility device use in children with cerebral palsy

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Rehabilitation
• Assistive Technology
• Cerebral Palsy Research

Background:

• Cerebral palsy (CP) is a common childhood motor disability.
• Mobility devices are crucial for enhancing functional independence in children with CP.
• Understanding device utilization patterns is vital for optimizing support.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify the number and types of mobility devices used by children with CP.
• To investigate the relationship between Gross Motor Functional Classification System (GMFCS) level, age, insurance, income, and device usage.
• To identify factors influencing the prescription and use of assistive technology in pediatric CP.

Main Methods:

• Secondary analysis of a cohort from a larger randomized controlled trial.
• Inclusion of 89 children with CP, aged 2-8 years.
• Utilized electronic medical records, parent questionnaires, and the Hollingshead Four-Factor Index for data collection.
• Employed quasi-Poisson and logistical regression analyses.

Main Results:

• Lower-extremity orthoses were the most common devices (75.3%).
• Device use increased by 8.2% per year of age.
• Children in GMFCS level V used significantly more devices than those in lower GMFCS levels (I, II, III).
• GMFCS level predicted the use of wheelchairs, bath chairs, and standers; income and insurance were not significant predictors.

Conclusions:

• Mobility device utilization in children with CP is strongly associated with increasing age and GMFCS level.
• Device access represents a critical public health consideration for this population.
• Further research into equitable access and provision of mobility devices is warranted.