Locomotion skills in adults with cerebral palsy.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate self-reported locomotion skills in persons with cerebral palsy (CP) and to investigate variables potentially associated with deterioration of walking skills.


METHODS
Cross-sectional retrospective survey.


METHODS
A multidimensional mailed questionnaire was sent to 766 persons with CP, 18 years or over, without intellectual disabilities, living in Norway.


METHODS
The questionnaire consisted of demographic and diagnostic items, items on locomotion skills, and physical function (SF-36).


RESULTS
In total 406 persons, 51% males and 49% females from 18 to 72 years (mean 34 years, SD 11 years) with all categories of CP responded. Median age for reported walking debut was 3 years, with a range from 1 to 14 years. In total 216 respondents (53%) walked without support, 104 persons (25%) walked with support, 39 persons (10%) had lost their walking skills, and 47 (12%) had never been able to walk. Mean level of physical function (SF-36) was 53 out of 100. There were 97 persons (27%) who reported improvement of walking skills, mainly before 25 years, 102 (28%) reported no change, and 160 (44%) reported deterioration, mainly before 35 years of age. Deterioration was significantly associated with older age, delayed walking debut and severe neurological impairment. Self-reported causes of deterioration were pain, fatigue and lack of adapted physical activity.


CONCLUSIONS
Deterioration of locomotion skills is a significant problem in persons with CP from an early age, documenting the need for life-long follow-up. The predictors above should be investigated in further clinical studies, searching for potential causal pathways.
Jahnsen
R
R
Department of Research, Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital, Section for Child Neurology, Rikshospitalet University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. reidun.jahnsen@rikshospitalet.no
Villien
L
L
Egeland
T
T
Stanghelle
J K
JK
Holm
I
I
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000150:complications*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000209:etiology*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008124:Locomotion; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016138:Walking