Association of gross motor function and activities of daily living with muscle mass of the trunk and lower extremity muscles, range of motion, and spasticity in children and adults with cerebral palsy

Abstract

ABSTRACT Purpose We examined the association of gross motor function and activities of daily living (ADL) with muscle mass of the trunk and lower extremity muscles in children and adults with cerebral palsy (CP). Methods The subjects were 32 children and adults with CP. Muscle thickness of the trunk and lower extremity muscles was measured using an ultrasound imaging device. Results Stepwise regression analysis revealed that the thoracic erector spinae muscle thickness was a significant and independent factor of gross motor function. Stepwise regression analysis also showed that the thickness of the rectus abdominis and vastus lateralis muscles were significant and independent factors of ADL. Conclusions Our findings suggest that declined gross motor function is associated with decreased thoracic erector spinae muscle mass in children and adults with CP. The results also indicate that declined ADL is associated with decreased muscle mass of the rectus abdominis and vastus lateralis muscles.