Correlation between the Gait Deviation Index and gross motor function (GMFCS level) in children with cerebral palsy

Objective This study was aimed to identify individual factors influencing the gross motor outcome of hippotherapy in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Methods One hundred and forty-six children with CP (mean age: 5.78 ± 1.72 years, male: 56.2%) presenting variable function (gross motor function classification system [GMFCS], levels I–IV) participated in this study. Participants received 30 minutes of hippotherapy twice a week for 8 weeks. Clinical information including GMFCS level, age, sex, CP distribution, CP type, gross motor function measure-88 (GMFM-88), GMFM-66, and pediatric balance scale (PBS) score were collected retrospectively. We regarded the children with GMFM-66 score increased by 2.0 points as good responders to hippotherapy. Further we analyzed factors affecting good responders. Results GMFCS level I and II compared with IV (odds ratio [OR] = 6.83) and III compared with IV (OR = 4.45) were significantly associated with a good response to hippotherapy. Higher baseline GMFM E (OR = 1.05) and lower baseline GMFM B (OR = 0.93) were also significantly associated with a good response to hippotherapy. Sex, age, CP type, and distribution were not factors influencing gross motor outcome of hippotherapy. Conclusions The children with CP, GMFCS level I–III, with relatively poor postural control in sitting might have a greater chance to improve their GMFM-66 scores through hippotherapy. This supports the hypothesis that hippotherapy is a context-focused therapy to improve postural control in sitting.

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Association between Gait Deviation Index and Physical Function in Children with Bilateral Spastic Cerebral Palsy: A Cross-Sectional Study

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm9010028 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 28 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Tadashi Ito ◽

Koji Noritake ◽

Hiroshi Sugiura ◽

Yasunari Kamiya ◽

Hidehito Tomita ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cerebral Palsy ◽

Motor Function ◽

Gait Speed ◽

Spastic Cerebral Palsy ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Gross Motor ◽

Gross Motor Function ◽

Gait Deviation Index ◽

Level I ◽

Gmfcs Level

This study examined the association between Gait Deviation Index (GDI) and the five-times-sit-to-stand test (FTSST) or gait speed results, which represent mobility and muscle strength of the lower extremities in ambulatory children with Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level I and II spastic cerebral palsy. In this cross-sectional, observational study, three-dimensional gait analysis data were obtained during gait trials to evaluate the GDI in 35 children (age 5–16 years) with spastic palsy. Motor function was evaluated using FTSST and gait speed. Gross motor function was evaluated using GMFCS. Children with GMFCS level II spastic cerebral palsy demonstrated lower GDI (p < 0.001) and poorer FTSST (p = 0.031) than those with GMFCS level I spastic cerebral palsy. Correlation analysis showed that FTSST results were significantly correlated with GDI (r = −0.624; p < 0.001). Motor function may be important for the maintenance of gait quality in patients with GMFCS level I and II spastic cerebral palsy and should not be ignored. In conclusion, reduction in gait impairment may affect the values of FTSST and GDI in patients with spastic cerebral palsy who can ambulate without an assistive device.

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Validation of a Model of Gross Motor Function for Children With Cerebral Palsy

Physical Therapy ◽

10.1093/ptj/80.10.974 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 80 (10) ◽

pp. 974-985 ◽

Cited By ~ 501

Author(s):

Robert J Palisano ◽

Steven E Hanna ◽

Peter L Rosenbaum ◽

Dianne J Russell ◽

Stephen D Walter ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cerebral Palsy ◽

Motor Function ◽

Gross Motor ◽

Gross Motor Function ◽

Rehabilitation Centers ◽

Level Ii ◽

Children With Cerebral Palsy ◽

Stratified Sample ◽

Level I ◽

Gmfcs Level

Abstract Background and Purpose. Development of gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy (CP) has not been documented. The purposes of this study were to examine a model of gross motor function in children with CP and to apply the model to construct gross motor function curves for each of the 5 levels of the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). Subjects. A stratified sample of 586 children with CP, 1 to 12 years of age, who reside in Ontario, Canada, and are known to rehabilitation centers participated. Methods. Subjects were classified using the GMFCS, and gross motor function was measured with the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM). Four models were examined to construct curves that described the nonlinear relationship between age and gross motor function. Results. The model in which both the limit parameter (maximum GMFM score) and the rate parameter (rate at which the maximum GMFM score is approached) vary for each GMFCS level explained 83% of the variation in GMFM scores. The predicted maximum GMFM scores differed among the 5 curves (level I=96.8, level II=89.3, level III=61.3, level IV=36.1, and level V=12.9). The rate at which children at level II approached their maximum GMFM score was slower than the rates for levels I and III. The correlation between GMFCS levels and GMFM scores was −.91. Logistic regression, used to estimate the probability that children with CP are able to achieve gross motor milestones based on their GMFM total scores, suggests that distinctions between GMFCS levels are clinically meaningful. Conclusion and Discussion. Classification of children with CP based on functional abilities and limitations is predictive of gross motor function, whereas age alone is a poor predictor. Evaluation of gross motor function of children with CP by comparison with children of the same age and GMFCS level has implications for decision making and interpretation of intervention outcomes.

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Gross motor function in preschool children with cerebral palsy: comparison between a high- and low-resource country. Is a GMFCS level III a III?

Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology ◽

10.1111/dmcn.32_12886 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 57 ◽

pp. 93-94

Keyword(s):

Cerebral Palsy ◽

Preschool Children ◽

Motor Function ◽

Gross Motor ◽

Low Resource ◽

Gross Motor Function ◽

Children With Cerebral Palsy ◽

Low Resource Country ◽

Gmfcs Level

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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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