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Relation of gait analysis to gross motor function in cerebral palsy
1Department of Orthopaedics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville 22903, USA.
Insights
This study found that gait analysis, particularly cadence and velocity, strongly correlates with the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) in children with cerebral palsy (CP). These findings suggest gait reflects overall motor function in CP.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neurology
- Biomechanical Engineering
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) impacts motor function, necessitating reliable assessment tools.
- The Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) and computerized gait analysis are standard methods for evaluating motor function in CP.
- Understanding the relationship between these measures can enhance patient assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlations between GMFM scores and various gait parameters in children with spastic CP.
- To identify which gait parameters are the strongest predictors of GMFM scores.
- To determine if gait analysis complements GMFM in assessing functional severity in CP.
Main Methods:
- Correlational analysis was performed between GMFM scores and gait parameters in 32 children with spastic CP (aged 3-18 years).
- Stepwise multiple regression was used to identify significant predictors of GMFM scores.
- Gait parameters and GMFM values were compared against pediatric norms based on functional severity.
Main Results:
- Cadence and normalized velocity showed the strongest correlations with GMFM scores.
- Hip and knee excursion, and percentage of single support also demonstrated direct correlations with GMFM.
- Cadence emerged as a significant independent predictor of GMFM score in regression analysis.
- Increased functional severity in CP was associated with greater deviation from pediatric norms in time, distance, hip/knee excursion, and GMFM scores.
Conclusions:
- Gait analysis is a representative measure of general motor status in children with CP.
- The GMFM and gait analysis serve as complementary tools for comprehensive functional assessment in pediatric CP.
- These findings support the integrated use of GMFM and gait analysis for a holistic evaluation of motor function in CP.
Abstract:
The Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) and computerized gait analysis are commonly used to assess patients with cerebral palsy (CP). The authors investigated correlations between the GMFM and gait parameters in 32 children aged 3 to 18 (mean 8.9) years with spastic CP. Of the gait parameters, cadence and normalized velocity correlated most strongly with the GMFM score, and hip knee excursion and percentage single support also correlated directly with the GMFM. In a stepwise multiple regression, cadence alone was a significant predictor of GMFM score. Time and distance parameters, hip and knee excursion in sagittal plane and GMFM value all moved consistently further from pediatric norms as functional severity increased. The study confirms that gait is representative of general motor status in CP and that the GMFM and gait analysis are complementary measures in the functional assessment of these children.