title: Prospective measurement of functional changes after selective dorsal rhizotomy.
abstract: Selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) followed by intensive postoperative therapy is commonly performed to reduce spasticity in carefully selected children with cerebral palsy. Reduction in spasticity and improvement in range and quality of movements are frequently reported. Functional gains have also been indicated but have not often been examined in a systematic manner. Twenty-nine children with spastic diplegia or quadriplegia received SDR and postoperative physical and occupational therapy. Upper-limb movement, self-care, and functional mobility were evaluated prospectively through preoperative, 6-month, and 12-month follow-up examinations. Significant improvements in the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory scores for functional mobility and self-care domains were observed for children with spastic diplegia, but not spastic quadriplegia. Children's scores in upper-limb reach and coordination tasks did not consistently improve. When attributing improvements in self-care and mobility independence to SDR and specialized therapy, continued development, new goals, and positive beliefs about progress should also be considered as factors influencing outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle 98195.
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Dudgeon
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Libby
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: McLaughlin
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Hays
authors.forename: K F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Bjornson
authors.forename: T S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Roberts
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome