Longitudinal development of gross motor function among Dutch children and young adults with cerebral palsy: an investigation of motor growth curves

Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify the level of participation in the context of the developmental transition from adolescence to adult life for young adults with cerebral palsy (CP) and the factors that had an influence on participation. Materials and Methods: Eighty-one young adults (16–21 years old) with CP and with normal or slightly decreased cognitive function participated in this study. Assessments were made using the Rotterdam Transition Profile (RTP) and the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0). In the binary regression model, levels of participation (RTP scores) were set as dependents and the level of disability (WHODAS 2.0 scores), age, and level of gross motor function were set as independent variables. Results: In the age group <18 years, in three out of seven RTP domains, less than 10% of participants were in phase 2 (experimenting and orientating toward the future), i.e., finance—7%, housing—7%, sexuality—4%. In the age group ≥18 years, 21% (education and employment), 56% (intimate relationships), and 59% (sexuality) of the participants were in phase 0 (no experience). Higher scores in WHODAS 2.0 domains showed positive associations with RTP domains, i.e., cognition with social activities, mobility with transportation, self-care with sexuality and transportation, and life activities with transportation. Age was positively associated with education and employment, finance, housing, and sexuality. Low motor function according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) had negative associations with autonomy in social activities, sexuality, and transportation. Conclusions: Young adults with cerebral palsy showed low levels of autonomy in all domains of participation. When addressing a person’s improvement in terms of their participation, the promotion of abilities in cognition, mobility, self-care, and life activities should be attempted. Age and gross motor function influenced autonomy in participation, but not in all domains.

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Flexed-knee gait in children with cerebral palsy

The Bone & Joint Journal ◽

10.1302/0301-620x.100b4.bjj-2017-0732.r1 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 100-B (4) ◽

pp. 549-556 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

C. Church ◽

J. Ge ◽

S. Hager ◽

T. Haumont ◽

N. Lennon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Cerebral Palsy ◽

Motor Function ◽

Young Adulthood ◽

Therapeutic Interventions ◽

Spastic Cerebral Palsy ◽

Initial Contact ◽

Gross Motor ◽

Long Term Outcome ◽

Gross Motor Function

Aims The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcome of adolescents with cerebral palsy who have undergone single-event multilevel surgery for a flexed-knee gait, followed into young adulthood using 3D motion analysis. Patients and Methods A total of 59 young adults with spastic cerebral palsy, with a mean age of 26 years (sd 3), were enrolled into the study in which their gait was compared with an evaluation that had taken place a mean of 12 years (sd 2) previously. At their visits during adolescence, the children walked with excessive flexion of the knee at initial contact and surgical or therapeutic interventions were not controlled between visits. Results Based on the change in flexed-knee gait over approximately ten years, improvements were seen in increased Gait Deviation Index (p < 0.001) and decreased flexion of the knee at initial contact (p < 0.001). Greater popliteal angle (p < 0.001), reduced Gross Motor Function Measure section D (p = 0.006), and reduced speed of gait (p = 0.007) suggested a mild decline in function. Quality-of-life measures showed that these patients fell within normal limits compared with typical young adults in areas other than physical function. Conclusion While some small significant changes were noted, little clinically significant change was seen in function and gait, with gross motor function maintained between adolescence and young adulthood. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:549–56.

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The Impact of Gross Motor Function on the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Young Adults with Cerebral Palsy in Saudi Arabia

International Journal of Dentistry ◽

10.1155/2020/4590509 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

Sharat Chandra Pani ◽

Saja Fahad AlEidan ◽

Rawan Nasser AlMutairi ◽

AlJawharah Ali AlAbsi ◽

Dalal Nasser AlMuhaidib ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Cerebral Palsy ◽

Oral Health ◽

Motor Function ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

Gross Motor ◽

Gross Motor Function ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related

Background. There is evidence that gross motor function impacts the health-related quality of life of young adults with cerebral palsy. This study aimed to assess gross motor function, oral health and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), and the relationship between them in young adults with cerebral palsy. Methods. The sample comprised 46 individuals aged between 13 and 17 years with Gross Motor Function Classification Scores (GMFCS) ranging from level I to level III. The individuals and their parents were administered an Arabic version of the child perception questionnaire for adolescents. Parental and child perception scores, DMFT, and gingival index were compared across GMFCS levels using the one-way ANOVA and Scheffe’s post hoc test. Results. Children with level III GMFCS had a significantly higher child perception score (CPQ) and parental perception score (PPQ) than those with level I or level II scores. There was a significant association between function (GMFCS) and the CPQ score in children (p=0.016). No significant associations were found between the CPQ score and either dental caries (DMFT) or gingival bleeding (GI) scores. Children with GMFCS level III had a significantly higher DMFT (p=0.002) and GI (p=0.001) scores. Conclusion. Motor function has a significant impact on both the oral health and the OHRQoL of adolescents and young adults with spastic cerebral palsy.

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Physical Activity in Adolescents and Young Adults with Cerebral Palsy

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2017/8080473 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2017 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Lisa Waltersson ◽

Elisabet Rodby-Bousquet

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Young Adults ◽

Cerebral Palsy ◽

Cohort Study ◽

Motor Function ◽

Classification System ◽

Gross Motor ◽

Physically Active ◽

Gross Motor Function ◽

Using Data

The aim of this study was to examine the level of physical activity in adults with cerebral palsy (CP) and to analyse its relationship with physical activity as adolescents, pain, and gross motor function. A prospective cohort study was performed using data from the Swedish National CP Registry (CPUP) for all 129 individuals born in 1991–1993 living in Skåne and Blekinge who reported to CPUP at 14–16 years of age. Physical activity as adult was analysed relative to physical activity as adolescents, pain, and the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). Seventy-one individuals at GMFCS I–V were followed up as adults and included in the analyses. Of these, 65% were physically active, but only 56% performed physical activity at least once a week. Their physical activity as adults differed relative to their physical activity as adolescents (p=0.011) but not to pain or GMFCS. Being physically active as an adolescent doubled the probability of being active as an adult (OR 2.1;p=0.054), indicating that physical activity in adults with CP is related to their physical activity as adolescents. Therefore, interventions to increase physical activity among adolescents with CP are likely also to improve physical activity in adulthood.

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Prevalence of Speech Problems and the Use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication in Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Registry-Based Study in Norway

Perspectives on Augmentative and Alternative Communication ◽

10.1044/aac19.1.12 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

pp. 12-20 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

Guro Andersen ◽

Tone R. Mjøen ◽

Torstein Vik

Keyword(s):

Cerebral Palsy ◽

Motor Function ◽

Gestational Age ◽

Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽

Alternative Communication ◽

Gross Motor ◽

Gross Motor Function ◽

Children With Cerebral Palsy ◽

Communicative Abilities ◽

Normal Speech

Abstract This study describes the prevalence of speech problems and the use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) in children with cerebral palsy (CP) in Norway. Information on the communicative abilities of 564 children with CP born 1996–2003, recorded in the Norwegian CP Registry, was collected. A total of 270 children (48%) had normal speech, 90 (16%) had slightly indistinct speech, 52 (9%) had indistinct speech, 35 (6%) had very indistinct speech, 110 children (19%) had no speech, and 7 (1%) were unknown. Speech problems were most common in children with dyskinetic CP (92 %), in children with the most severe gross motor function impairments and among children being totally dependent on assistance in feeding or tube-fed children. A higher proportion of children born at term had speech problems when compared with children born before 32 weeks of gestational age 32 (p > 0.001). Among the 197 children with speech problems only, 106 (54%) used AAC in some form. Approximately 20% of children had no verbal speech, whereas ~15% had significant speech problems. Among children with either significant speech problems or no speech, only 54% used AAC in any form.

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Ankle contractures are frequent among children with cerebral palsy and associated with lower gross motor function and degree of spasticity

Acta Paediatrica ◽

10.1111/apa.15804 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Lærke Hartvig Krarup ◽

Pia Kjær Kristensen ◽

Louise Strand ◽

Sofie Langbo Bredtoft ◽

Inger Mechlenburg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cerebral Palsy ◽

Motor Function ◽

Gross Motor ◽

Gross Motor Function ◽

Children With Cerebral Palsy

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Motor learning-based activities may improve functional ability in adults with severe cerebral palsy: A controlled pilot study

Neurorehabilitation ◽

10.3233/nre-201581 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-11

Author(s):

Helle Hüche Larsen ◽

Rasmus Feld Frisk ◽

Maria Willerslev-Olsen ◽

Jens Bo Nielsen

Keyword(s):

Cerebral Palsy ◽

Motor Learning ◽

Motor Function ◽

Functional Ability ◽

Active Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Gross Motor ◽

Gross Motor Function ◽

Learning Principles

BACKGROUND: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurodevelopmental disturbance characterized by impaired control of movement. Function often decreases and 15% of adults are classified as severely affected (Gross Motor Function Classification Scale III-V). Little is known about interventions that aim to improve functional abilities in this population. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a 12-week intervention based on motor learning principles on functional ability in adults with severe CP. METHODS: 16 adults (36±10 years, GMFCS III-V) were enrolled and divided into an intervention group (Active group) and a standard care group (Control group). Primary outcome measure was Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-88). Secondary measures were neurological status. The Active group were measured at baseline, after the intervention and at one-month follow-up. The Control group were measured at baseline and after one month. RESULTS: Analysis showed statistically significant improvement in GMFM-88 for the Active group from baseline to post assessment compared with the Control group (group difference: 5 points, SE 14.5, p = 0.008, CI: 1.2 to 8.7). Improvements were maintained at follow-up. Results from the neurological screening showed no clear tendencies. CONCLUSIONS: The study provides support that activities based on motor learning principles may improve gross motor function in adults with severe CP.

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