Relation among the gross motor function, manual performance and upper limb functional measures in children with spastic cerebral palsy.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to describe hand function in relation with gross motor function and subtype of spastic cerebral palsy and to investigate the relationships among gross motor function, bimanual performance, unimanual capacity and upper limb functional measures in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP).


METHODS
We collected upper extremity data of 140 children with spastic CP. The Gross Motor Functional Classification System (GMFCS) was used to assess gross motor function, Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) for bimanual performance, and Modified House Functional Classification (MHC) for the best capacity of each hand. Upper limb functions were evaluated by using the Upper Limb Physician's Rating Scale and Upper Extremity Rating Scale.


RESULTS
There was a good correlation between GMFCS and MACS in children with bilateral CP, but the correlation was not strong in children with unilateral CP. No significant difference between GMFCS and MACS was found in children with bilateral CP, but children with unilateral CP scored higher on GMFCS than on MACS. A strong correlation was observed between MACS and MHC in children with bilateral CP, but not in children with unilateral CP. The upper limb functional measures in each hand were highly related with MACS and MHC in bilateral CP, but not in unilateral CP.


CONCLUSIONS
Gross motor function, bimanual performance and the best capacity of each hand are closely related with each other in children with bilateral CP, but not in children with unilateral CP.
Department and Research Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 120-752, Korea.
Eun Sook
ES
Park
Dong Wook
DW
Rha
Jin Hee
JH
Park
Doug Ho
DH
Park
Eun Geol
EG
Sim
D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000145:classification / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006225:Hand / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D009048:Motor Skills; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology