[Testing range of motion in cerebral palsy].
OBJECTIVE
To propose a standardized test of joint range of motion in paediatric patients with cerebral palsy, based on the opinion of a cerebral palsy specialist group (physicians, physiotherapists and surgeons) and literature review.


METHODS
A Delphi process was adapted to elaborate a complete test of lower-limb-joint range of motion. During the preparation phase, a pilot committee selected a list of items compiled from literature search and personal experience. A first questionnaire was proposed to 16 experts, then six discussion meetings followed. From the results, the pilot committee prepared a second questionnaire for the experts and finalized the complete test of joint range of motion.


RESULTS
The complete test includes 24 items related to goniometric measurements in supine and prone positions. Principal conditions necessary for an accurate exam are included. Further, a testing guide with visuals of the proposed exam techniques was developed.


CONCLUSIONS
The standardized testing of lower-limb-joint range of motion will allow for better communication between clinicians and will facilitate the development of a database. Care should be taken in the interpretation of the joint range-of-motion test results and realized only after reliability analysis of the test, especially interobserver reliability. A further step would be to develop an outpatient booklet for cerebral palsy that shows growth and weight curves, joint range-of-motion curves and curves of the principal radiographic measurements during growth.
Viehweger
E
E
Service de chirurgie orthopédique-pédiatrique, centre d'analyse du mouvement, hôpital Timone-Enfants, université de la méditerranée, 264, rue Saint-Pierre, 13385 Marseille cedex 05, France. elke.viehweger@ap-hm.fr
Bérard
C
C
Berruyer
A
A
Simeoni
M-C
MC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D053587:Arthrometry, Articular; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003697:Delphi Technique; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*