Balance confidence and physical activity participation of independently ambulatory youth with cerebral palsy: an exploration of youths' and parents' perspectives

Physical and Psychosocial Consequences of Falls in Ambulatory Individuals With Cerebral Palsy by Age and Gross Motor Function

OBJECTIVE

To quantify physical and psychosocial impacts of falls by age and Gross Motor Classification System (GMFCS) level in ambulatory individuals with cerebral palsy (CP).

DESIGN

Cross-sectional survey.

SETTING

Tertiary specialty hospital and online CP communities.

PARTICIPANTS

Ambulatory individuals with CP (N=201 adults; 18-76 years old) or the caregivers of minors (N=180; 5-17 years old).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Participants completed online surveys to report fall frequency, fall characteristics, injuries, concern about falling (Short Falls Efficacy Scale-International), activity avoidance due to concern about falling (Short Falls Efficacy Scale-International Avoidance Behavior), and psychosocial constructs related to perceived consequences of falling (Consequences of Falling-Damage to Identity subscale).

RESULTS

Most participants fell in the past 12 months (86%). Fall frequency in the past 12 months differed by age (P<.001) and GMFCS level (P=.021). Individuals aged 5-12 years or GMFCS level II reported the most falls. The percentage of participants who experienced a past serious fall-related injury (eg, head/face stitches, concussion, fractures) increased with age (P<.001), affecting 80% of ≥50-year olds. Falls often occurred in the forward direction, when wearing shoes, and during ambulation. Uneven surfaces and fatigue were notable causes. Concern about falling and associated activity avoidance scores differed by age and GMFCS level (all P<.01), both of which were highest for ≥50-year olds and GMFCS level III. Although psychosocial consequences of falls (eg, embarrassment, lost confidence) were elevated across all groups, they did not differ by age or GMFCS level (P=.130, P=.083). Nearly everyone (88%) wished they fell less.

CONCLUSIONS

Falls are common for ambulatory children and adults with CP. Physical and psychosocial consequences of falls were frequent and impacted behavior. Differences observed by age and GMFCS level should be considered in care delivery. Clinically tracking and discussing falls and their repercussions across the lifespan will aid in addressing this under-researched and under-resourced concern of people with CP.

How Does Standing Anteroposterior Stability Limits Correlate to Foot/ankle Functions in Bilateral Spastic Cerebral Palsy?

PURPOSE

To determine whether foot and ankle functions are correlated with the limits of stability (LoS) while standing in individuals with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy (BSCP).

METHODS

Eighteen people who could walk and with BSCP and 18 people without disability participated. Anteroposterior LoS was measured using a force platform. To quantify ankle and foot functions, spasticity, isometric muscle strength, passive range of motion, and plantar light touch-pressure sensation were assessed.

RESULTS

In the BSCP group, anteroposterior LoS was significantly decreased, and anterior LoS reduction was correlated with decreases in plantar flexor and toe flexor strength and in sensitivity of the forefoot to light touch-pressure sensation, whereas the posterior LoS reduction was correlated with reduced dorsiflexor strength.

CONCLUSIONS

The present findings suggest that improvement in these foot and ankle functions in BSCP may increase LoS while standing.

Quiet standing and anteroposterior limits of stability in adolescents and young adults with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy

Stance stability in individuals with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy (BSCP) in various standing postures including the quiet standing (QS) and limits of stability (LoS) has been widely studied. However, the relationships between the QS and LoS remain unclear. This study aimed to determine the relationships between the positions and postural sway in the QS and anteroposterior LoS in individuals with BSCP. It included 27 adolescents and young adults with BSCP (BSCP group) and 27 adolescents and young adults without disability (control group). The position of center of pressure in the anteroposterior direction (CoPy position) and the path length of center of pressure (CoP path length) during the QS and the anterior and posterior LoS (A-LoS and P-LoS, respectively) were measured using a force platform. The CoPy positions in the A-LoS and P-LoS in the BSCP group were limited compared with those in the control group. In the BSCP group, the more anterior the CoPy position in the QS, the more anterior (i.e., limited) it was in the P-LoS. Although the CoP path length in the QS was larger in the BSCP group, those in the A-LoS and P-LoS were larger in the control group. The BSCP group also showed that the more anterior the CoPy position or the longer the CoP path length in the QS, the more decreased the anteroposterior LoS range was. Therefore, assessing various standing postures, including QS and anteroposterior LoS, is important to manage balance impairments in individuals with BSCP.

Looking beyond Body Structure and Function: ICF Foci and Who Is Being Assessed in Research about Adolescents and Young Adults with Cerebral Palsy-A Scoping Review

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to summarize the ICF foci, looking beyond body structures and function, and to analyze who has been assessed in research about adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with CP in the phase of transition to adulthood.

METHOD

Medline, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL databases were searched using terms related to cerebral palsy, adolescents/young adults, health development, participation, and independence. Studies including youth with CP (13-30 years old) published in English from 2014 to 2021 were considered. The methods of assessment reported in the included studies were used to identify the ICF foci and who was assessed.

RESULTS

In this study, 86 studies were reviewed. The main ICF foci are activity and participation (51% of the studies), personal factors (23%), ICF not covered (14%), ICF not defined (9%), with environmental factors being the least focused ICF component (3%). Most studies assessed AYAs directly (49% of studies).

CONCLUSIONS

Activity- and participation-related constructs are the leading research focus of studies, and more attention is needed concerning environmental factors. AYAs are the main source of information, and the perspectives of other key figures are also being valued. To bridge the gap between child and adult health care, a broader view of health development and approaches to explore AYA developmental issues must be taken.

Participation measures that evaluate attendance and involvement for young people aged 15 to 25 years with cerebral palsy: a systematic review

PURPOSE

To identify participation-focused measures used for young people with cerebral palsy (CP), evaluate their psychometric evidence, and map item content to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF), and family of Participation-Related Constructs (fPRC) frameworks.

METHODS

Four databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL) were searched for papers that involved young people with CP aged 15 to 25 years and reported original data from a participation measure. Each measure was examined for validity, reliability, responsiveness (using the COSMIN checklist), clinical utility, the inclusion of accessible design features, self- and/or proxy-report from people with communication support needs, and item content according to ICF and fPRC.

RESULTS

Of 895 papers, 80 were included for review. From these, 26 measures were identified. Seven measures (27 papers/resources) were participation-focused, capable of producing a score for participation Attendance and/or Involvement. Of these, all measured Attendance (n = 7) but fewer than half measured Involvement (n = 3). Few included studies (37%) reported including some self-report of people with communication support needs.

CONCLUSIONS

Participation measures for young people with CP are evolving but require more: (i) emphasis on measurement of involvement; (ii) investigation of psychometric properties; and (iii) adaptation to enable self-report by young people with communication support needs.

Factors impacting positive and negative participation of young people with cerebral palsy: a Delphi study of consumers and health professionals

PURPOSE

To identify specific factors influencing the participation experiences of young people with cerebral palsy (CP) aged 15 to 26 years.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A three-round Delphi survey study design was used. Consumers (young people with CP and caregivers) and health professionals were asked to generate and then rate items influencing positive and negative participation experiences. Qualitative content analysis and descriptive statistics were used to classify items across the family of Participation-Related Constructs (fPRC) framework.

RESULTS

Sixty-eight participants completed Round I (25 consumers, 43 health professionals). Round II resulted in a consensus for all but two items, with Round III not required. The fPRC construct with the most items rated as extremely important for positive participation experiences was Environment-Availability, and for negative participation, experiences were Environment-Acceptability for both adolescents and young adults.

CONCLUSIONS

A consensus was reached on the most important items influencing the positive and negative participation experiences of young people with CP. These items should be prioritised when developing support services and allocating funding to improve the participation experiences of young people with CP.

Validation of the Gait Outcomes Assessment List questionnaire and caregiver priorities for individuals with cerebral palsy

AIM

To expand upon previous validation of the Gait Outcomes Assessment List (GOAL) questionnaire in individuals with cerebral palsy (CP), to rank items by importance, and to summarize written-in (free text) goals.

METHOD

For this cross-sectional study, the parent-version 5.0 of the GOAL was completed by 310 consecutive caregivers of 310 individuals aged 3 to 25 years with CP (189 males, 121 females; mean [SD] age: 10y [4y 2mo]; Gross Motor Function Classification System [GMFCS] levels I-IV) concurrent with a gait analysis. Distribution properties and validity were quantified using questionnaires, kinematics, and oxygen consumption. Items classified as at least 'difficult' to perform and 'very important' to improve were considered caregiver priorities and rank ordered. Free text goals were categorized. Results were summarized for everyone and by GMFCS level.

RESULTS

Most scores were normally distributed. Validity was acceptable, with concurrent greater than construct validity. Among all 310 caregivers, fatigue was the highest priority, followed by gait pattern and appearance items. The rank of priorities varied by GMFCS level. Common free text goals included toileting independently as well as improved fine motor and ball sport skills.

INTERPRETATION

The GOAL is a valid tool that can help prioritize goals across GMFCS levels I to IV. Identifying the top goals may improve shared decision-making and prioritize research for this sample.

Benefits of a Low-Cost Walking Device in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Qualitative Study

Children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) participate less regularly in physical and social activities. Support walkers allow mobility for infants who need aid. The aim of this study is to explore the benefits of a low-cost walking device in children with CP. A qualitative study using semi-structured, face-to-face interviews was conducted. Eight participants (two parents, two educational professionals, and four physical therapists) who live or work with children with CP that use a low-cost walking device were questioned to examine the benefits of the practice. Thematic analysis denoted three key factors about the benefits: emotional welfare, physical wellbeing, and social enjoyment. To conclude, the use of a support walker in children with CP makes them feel happier, improves their self-confidence and autonomy, and promotes participation.