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Correlation between the gross motor function measure scores and gait spatiotemporal measures in children with
L M Drouin1, F Malouin, C L Richards
1Centre Francois-Charon, Quebec City.
Insights
Gait velocity in children with cerebral palsy or head injury strongly correlates with motor function scores, particularly in gait-related activities. This suggests velocity can predict functional mobility and aid in assessing motor development.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neurology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Cerebral palsy and head injury significantly impact motor function in children.
- Assessing gait spatiotemporal measures (STM) is crucial for understanding locomotor abilities.
- Standardized clinical tests are needed to quantify motor function in pediatric populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the relationship between spatiotemporal measures of gait and motor function in children with cerebral palsy and head injury.
- To investigate if gait velocity can serve as a predictor of functional motor outcomes.
- To explore how walking support affects the correlation between gait velocity and motor function scores.
Main Methods:
- Participants: 26 children with cerebral palsy and 4 with head injury (aged 1-8 years).
- Gait assessment: Clinical videographic gait test (VGT) for spatiotemporal measures (velocity, cadence, stride length, cycle duration).
- Motor function assessment: Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) including gait-related sections D and E.
Main Results:
- Significant linear correlations found between gait velocity and GMFM sections D and E (r=0.91, r=0.93; p<0.0001) for the total group.
- Gait velocity effectively reflects functional locomotor behavior in these children.
- Correlation between gait velocity and GMFM(E) was higher for children walking with support (r=0.69) than without (r=0.35).
- GMFM(E) score's discriminant ability decreased at gait velocities above 45 cm/s.
Conclusions:
- Gait velocity is a reliable indicator of functional locomotor abilities in children with cerebral palsy and head injury.
- GMFM sections D and E show potential as predictors of locomotor function.
- The relationship between gait velocity and motor function is influenced by the use of walking support, with GMFM(E) being more sensitive at lower velocities.
Abstract:
Twenty six children with a diagnosis of cerebral palsy and four with a diagnosis of head injury, aged between 1 and 8 years, participated in this study, undertaken to determine the relation between spatiotemporal measures (STM) of gait (velocity, cadence, stride length, and cycle duration) and the results of a standardized clinical test of motor function. STM were assessed by a clinical videographic gait test (VGT) whereas the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) was used to assess motor function. For the total group of children, significant linear relations (r = 0.91, r = 0.93; p < 0.0001) were obtained between gait velocity and the GMFM sections D and E which include gait-related activities. These indicate that velocity is a parameter capable of reflecting functional locomotor behavior of these children. The results suggest that GMFM sections D and E may be used as locomotor predictors. The effect of walking with or without support was also investigated. The correlation between gait velocity and the GMFM(E) score was higher (r = 0.69) in the group of children walking with support than in those walking without (r = 0.35). The first group were younger and walked at velocities under 45 cm/s whereas children walking without support were older and walked at velocities ranging from 55 to 110 cm/s. These results suggest that the GMFM(E) score becomes less discriminant at gait velocities above 45 cm/s.