Article

The aim of this study was to investigate the acquisition of self-care and
mobility skills in children with cerebral palsy (CP) in relation to their manual
ability and gross motor function. Data from the Pediatric Evaluation of
Disability Inventory (PEDI) self-care and mobility functional skill scales, the
Manual Ability Classification System (MACS), and the Gross Motor Function
Classification System (GMFCS) were collected from 195 children with CP (73
females, 122 males; mean age 8 y 1 mo; SD 3 y 11 mo; range 3-15 y); 51% had
spastic bilateral CP, 36% spastic unilateral CP, 8% dyskinetic CP, and 3% ataxic
CP. The percentage of children classified as MACS levels I to V was 28%, 34%,
17%, 7%, and 14% respectively, and classified as GMFCS levels I to V was 46%,
16%, 15%, 11%, and 12% respectively. RESULTS: Children classified as MACS and
GMFCS levels I or II scored higher than children in MACS and GMFCS levels III to
V on both the self-care and mobility domains of the PEDI, with significant
differences between all classification levels (p<0.001). The stepwise multiple
regression analysis verified that MACS was the strongest predictor of self-care
skills (66%) and that GMFCS was the strongest predictor of mobility skills (76%).
A strong correlation between age and self-care ability was found among children
classified as MACS level I or II and between age and mobility among children
classified as GMFCS level I. Many of these children achieved independence, but at
a later age than typically developing children. Children at other MACS and GMFCS
levels demonstrated minimal progress with age. INTERPRETATION: Knowledge of a
child's MACS and GMFCS level can be useful when discussing expectations of, and
goals for, the development of functional skills.
CI - (c) The Authors. Journal compilation (c) Mac Keith Press 2010.

Langue : ANGLAIS