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Five-year follow-up of functional sitting position in children with cerebral palsy
U Myhr1, L von Wendt, S Norrlin
1Department of Handicap Research, Göteborg University, Sweden.
Insights
Children with cerebral palsy (CP) improved hand and arm function when using a functional sitting position (FSP). This specific sitting position aided motor control and independent function in children with CP.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Rehabilitation
- Neurology
- Occupational Therapy
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) significantly impacts motor control and functional independence in children.
- Optimal positioning is crucial for maximizing functional abilities and minimizing secondary complications in CP.
- The functional sitting position (FSP) aims to enhance head, trunk, and foot control for improved arm and hand use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term effect of a functional sitting position (FSP) on motor control and functional abilities in children with cerebral palsy (CP).
- To determine if consistent use of the FSP contributes to improvements in arm and hand function over a five-year period.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study involving ten children with cerebral palsy (CP).
- Children were videotaped and photographed before and after a five-year period of using the functional sitting position (FSP).
- Motor control (head, trunk, foot) and arm/hand function were assessed using the Sitting Assessment Scale from video recordings.
Main Results:
- Eight out of ten children using the FSP demonstrated slight but significant improvements in assessed motor and functional abilities.
- The two children who did not consistently use the FSP showed deterioration over the five-year period.
- Improvements were observed in head control, trunk control, foot control, and arm/hand function.
Conclusions:
- Consistent use of the functional sitting position (FSP) appears to contribute positively to the motor and functional development of children with cerebral palsy (CP).
- The FSP may enhance the ability of children with CP to gain independent function, particularly in arm and hand use during tasks.
- Further research is warranted to explore the specific mechanisms by which FSP influences functional outcomes in CP.
Abstract:
Ten children with cerebral palsy (CP) were videotaped and photographed after the introduction to a functional sitting position (FSP--defined as a position in which children with CP could gain head-, trunk- and foot-control and the maximum degree of independent function when performing arm and hand movements during tasks) and again five years later. Head-, trunk- and foot-control, and arm- and hand-function were assessed from video-tapes by the Sitting Assessment Scale. The eight children who had been using the FSP throughout this period showed slight but significant improvement; the remaining two had deteriorated. Since all 10 children had undergone similar rehabilitation programmes, it is concluded that sitting in an FSP contributed to their improvement in the ability to use the hand and arm.