title: Adults with cerebral palsy: a survey describing problems, needs, and resources, with special emphasis on locomotion.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to describe problems and resources of adults with cerebral palsy (CP) with special emphasis on locomotion. A questionnaire concerning demographic facts, locomotion, musculoskeletal problems, and present physical activity was mailed to 363 adults with CP. Two hundred and twenty-one adults, (125 male and 96 female; mean age 36 years, range 20 to 58 years) answered the questionnaire. Seventy-seven per cent reported problems with spasticity. Eighty-four per cent lived in their own apartments, with or without home services. Twenty-four per cent worked full-time and 18% had full disability pension. Twenty-seven per cent had never been able to walk, 64% could walk with or without walking aids, 35% reported decreased walking ability, and 9% had stopped walking. Eighty per cent reported contractures and 18% had pain every day. Approximately 60% were regularly physically active, and despite their disability, 54% considered that they were not limited in their ability to move about in the community.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden. christina.andersson@gym.ki.se
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Andersson
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mattsson
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000150:complications* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008124:Locomotion; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019957:Motor Skills Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D011788:Quality of Life