Relationship between modified TUG and WeeFIM in children with cerebral palsy

Abstract

Background: Cerebral Palsy (CP) refers to permanent, mutable motor development disorders stemming from a primary brain lesion, leading to secondary musculoskeletal alterations, and limitation of activities of daily living. Motor impairment is the main manifestation in children with CP, and it has consequent effects on the biomechanics of the body. The WeeFIM is a short and quick to administer assessment of functional outcome in paediatric rehabilitation. The modified Timed Up and Go test (mTUG) was designed for children with Cerebral Palsy and assesses mobility and requires both static and dynamic balance. Context and Purpose: Determining if a relationship exists between functional mobility and level of functional independence in daily activities will help to design treatment programs which target improvement in functional mobility in order to improve functional independence in children with Cerebral Palsy. The studies done correlating functional balance and functional performance in children with CP have largely yielded inconclusive results. Hence this study was designed with the aim of finding if a relationship exists between functional mobility measured by mTUG and functional independence measured by WeeFIM in children with CP. Methods: It was a correlation study conducted on 20 children with spastic cerebral palsy from different CP centers in and around Mangalore. Participants were evaluated using modified TUG and WeeFIM scales and the scores tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis to determine if there is a relationship exists between mTUG and WeeFIM. Results: When the measured variables were correlated with each other using Pearson’s correlation it was found that the Pearson’s correlation coefficient was - .470, indicating a moderate negative correlation between the mTUG and WeeFIMscores. Conclusion: There exists a positive relationship between functional mobility and functional independence in children with CP. Improving mobility in children with CP can help them to attain better functional independence. KEY WORD: Cerebral Palsy, GMFC, mTUG, WeeFIM.