Relationship Between Cognitive Abilities and Motor Impairment in Persons with Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review

Cerebral palsy is primarily defined by motor impairments, yet cognitive difficulties frequently co-occur and influence development and daily functioning. This systematic review examined associations between motor function and cognition in individuals with CP, interpreting findings within the Cattell-Horn-Carroll framework. Twenty-eight studies were included. Both gross and fine motor impairments were consistently associated with lower overall intellectual functioning. However, evidence regarding specific CHC cognitive domains was limited and inconsistent. Substantial heterogeneity in study design, assessment instruments, and small samples constrained comparability. While the link between general intelligence and motor severity appears robust, domain-specific cognitive-motor relationships remain insufficiently established.