AN ICF CORE SET BASED INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECTS OF GROSS MOTOR FUNCTIONS ON HEALTH IN CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL PALSY

Abstract

Purpose: The Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) is commonly used to assess gross motor functions in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Our aim was to investigate the relationship between gross motor function and health status in children with CP based on clinical types and functional levels. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 75 children with CP (mean age ± SD 7.59 ±3.86 years). The 66-item Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-66) was used to measure the gross motor functions of children. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) CP Core Set was used to assess the general health status of children including body functions and structures, activity and participation, and environmental factors for obtaining a holistic framework. Results: Of the children, 61 (81.3%) were spastic and 14 (18.7%) were dyskinetic. Children were divided into 3 groups based on the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level as mild (levels 1-2, n=28), moderate (level 3, n=16), and severe (levels 4-5, n=31). The GMFM-66 had moderate to strong correlations with body functions and structures (r=-0.811, p<0.001) and activity and participation (r=-0.862, p<0.001) domains of the ICF in severely affected children with CP although it had no strong correlation in any of the ICF domains in mildly or moderately affected children. Conclusion: Although gross motor functions may reflect the health status holistically in severely affected children with CP, it seems not sufficient to reflect the health status in mildly or moderately affected children with CP.