Performance of physical activities by adolescents with cerebral palsy.
OBJECTIVE
Mobility and self-care are important considerations for successful transition of adolescents with cerebral palsy to adulthood. The purpose of this study was to characterize performance of physical activities from the perspective of adolescents themselves.


METHODS
The subjects were 156 adolescents with cerebral palsy, 11.6 to 17.7 years of age.


METHODS
A therapist completed the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). Adolescents completed the Activities Scale for Kids-Performance Version (ASKp) twice over a 1-year period.


RESULTS
A repeated-measures analysis of variance indicated a main effect for GMFCS level. The main effect for time and the GMFCS level x time interaction were not significant. Post hoc comparisons indicated that ASKp scores differed among all GMFCS levels.


CONCLUSIONS
Performance of physical activities by adolescents with cerebral palsy differed based on GMFCS level and did not change over 1 year. The ASKp scores of adolescents in levels II through V suggest the need for physical assistance at times throughout the day. The results have implications for the role of the physical therapist in transition planning.
Palisano
Robert J
RJ
Hahnemann Programs in Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA. robert.j.palisano@drexel.edu
Copeland
Wendy P
WP
Galuppi
Barbara E
BE
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000145:classification* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D009043:Motor Activity; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D012648:Self Care