Association between gross motor function and postural control in sitting in children with Cerebral Palsy: a correlational study in Spain.

Sergio Montero Mendoza,Antonia Gómez-Conesa,María Dolores Hidalgo Montesinos

doi:10.1186/s12887-015-0442-4

Sergio Montero Mendoza, Antonia Gómez-Conesa + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-015-0442-4

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Journal: BMC pediatrics	Publication Date: Sep 16, 2015
Citations: 43	License type: cc-by

Affiliation: University of Murcia

Abstract

BackgroundCerebral palsy (CP) is one of the causes of physical disability in children. Sitting abilities can be described using the Level of Sitting Scale (LSS) and the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). There is growing interest in the sitting posture of children with CP owing to a stable sitting position allows for the development of eye-hand coordination, functions of the upper extremities and functional skills. Besides, in recent years researchers have tried to develop a new terminology to classify the CP as performed by the Surveillance of Cerebral Palsy in Europe (SCPE), in order to improve the monitoring of the frequency of the PC, providing a framework for research and service planning. The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between GMFCS and LSS. The second purpose was to describe how the SCPE relates to sitting abilities with the GMFCS and LSS.MethodsThe study involved 139 children with CP (range 3–18 years) from 24 educational centres. Age, gender, CP classification according to SCPE, GMFCS and LSS levels were recorded by an experienced physiotherapist.ResultsA significant inverse relationship between GMFCS and LSS score levels was found (rs = −0.86, p = 0.00). 45.3 % of the children capable of leaning in any direction and of re-erecting the trunk (level VIII on the LSS) could walk without limitation (level I on the GMFCS). There were differences in the distribution of the GMFCS (χ2(4):50.78) and LSS (χ2(7): 37.15) levels and CP according to the distribution of the spasticity (p <0.01).ConclusionsThere was a negative correlation between both scales and a relation between sitting ability and the capacity to walk with or without technical devices. GMFCS and the LSS are useful tools for describing the functional abilities and limitations of children with CP, specially sitting and mobility. Classification based on the distribution of spasticity and the gross motor function provides clinical information on the prognosis and development of children with CP.

Highlights

Cerebral palsy (CP) is one of the causes of physical disability in children
Of the cases classified as dyskinetic PC, 38.5 % were classified as choreoathetotic CP and 61.5 % as dystonic CP
A significant inverse relationship was found between Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and the Level of Sitting Scale (LSS) levels

Summary

Introduction

Cerebral palsy (CP) is one of the causes of physical disability in children. Sitting abilities can be described using the Level of Sitting Scale (LSS) and the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). There is growing interest in the sitting posture of children with CP owing to a stable sitting position allows for the development of eye-hand coordination, functions of the upper extremities and functional skills. Sitting ability is analysed to detect whether the child is adopting asymmetric postures that favour shortening of the soft tissues and the appearance of deformities. For these reasons, the physiotherapists need reliable and assessment measures for sitting with high levels of responsiveness and validity that would permit effective treatment strategies [6]. Roxborough et al [7] suggest LSS may be useful for evaluative purposes, in addition to its role as a classification index

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