Abstract
BackgroundThere are differences in roles between the more-affected and less-affected upper limb of children with cerebral palsy (CP). However, there is a lack of studies of the relationship between the more-affected limb function and activities of daily living (ADL) in children with CP. Thus, the aim of this prospective cross-sectional study was to investigate the relationship between more-affected upper limb function and ADL in children with CP.MethodsChildren with spastic CP (unilateral CP n = 28, bilateral CP n = 31; 34 males, 25 females; mean age ± SD, 6.8 ± 3.1y [range, 3-14y]) participated in this study. Function of the more-affected upper limb was measured using the Melbourne Assessment of Unilateral Upper limb Function, version 2 (MA2) and the Upper Limb Physician’s Rating Scale (ULPRS). Performance of daily living activities was measured using the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory-Computer Adaptive Test (PEDI-CAT).ResultsThe range, accuracy and fluency dimension of MA2 and ULPRS total scores were moderately correlated with the daily activity domain (r = 0.47, 0.47, 0.56 for MA2 and r = 0.50 for ULPRS, respectively; P < 0.001) rather than the mobility, social/cognitive, and responsibility domains of the PEDI-CAT. ULPRS scores for elbow extension, supination in extension, supination in flexion, and two-handed function were moderately correlated with the PEDI-CAT daily activity domain (r = 0.44, 0.43, 0.41, and 0.49, respectively; P < 0.01). Finger opening and thumb-in-palm deformity of the ULPRS did not correlate with any PEDI-CAT domain.ConclusionsThe MA2 range, accuracy, and fluency domains (rather than dexterity) had the strongest correlations with the PEDI-CAT daily activity domain. Elbow extension, forearm supination, and two-handed function (rather than wrist and finger movements) of the ULPRS had the strongest correlations with the PEDI-CAT daily activity domain.
Highlights
There are differences in roles between the more-affected and less-affected upper limb of children with cerebral palsy (CP)
The MA2 dexterity dimension was weakly correlated with the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI)-CAT daily activity domain, whereas it was not significantly correlated with the PEDI-CAT mobility, social/cognitive, and responsibility domains
The results indicated that upper limb function in children with CP was primarily correlated with the PEDI-CAT daily activity domain rather than other domains
Summary
There are differences in roles between the more-affected and less-affected upper limb of children with cerebral palsy (CP). There is a lack of studies of the relationship between the more-affected limb function and activities of daily living (ADL) in children with CP. The aim of this prospective cross-sectional study was to investigate the relationship between more-affected upper limb function and ADL in children with CP. Children with cerebral palsy (CP) commonly have impairment of upper limb function, with various studies reporting a prevalence ranging from 57 to 83% [1, 2]. As children with CP prefer to use their less-affected limb for ADL, we expect to observe differences in the functional roles between the more-affected and lessaffected limbs; the more-affected limb used as the nondominant hand, and the less-affected limb used as the dominant hand
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