Relation of stride activity and participation in mobility-based life habits among children with cerebral palsy.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the relation between walking performance and participation in mobility-related habits of daily life in children with cerebral palsy (CP). To date, walking outcomes in CP have been capacity-based (what a child does in structured setting). Physical activity performance (what a child really does in daily life) has been documented to affect the relation of capacity-based gross motor measures and participation.


METHODS
Cross-sectional prospective cohort study.


METHODS
Regional pediatric specialty care centers.


METHODS
A cohort of ambulatory children with CP (N=128; age, 2 to 9y; 41% girls; 49% having hemiplegia) participated.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
Walking performance was quantified from a 5-day sample of accelerometry data. Stride activity was summarized through the outcomes of the average number of total strides per day (independent of intensity) and the average number of total strides per day at >30 strides/min (marker of intensity). Mobility-based participation was assessed by using the Assessment of Life Habits for Children questionnaire categories of personal care, housing, mobility, and recreation. Regression models were developed controlling for sex, age, cognition, communication, pain, and body composition.


RESULTS
The average number of total strides per day was positively associated with the personal care, housing, mobility, and recreation Assessment of Life Habits for Children questionnaire categories (β=.34-.41, P<.001). The average number of total strides per day at >30 strides/min was associated with all categories (β=.54-.60, P<.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Accelerometry-based walking activity performance is significantly associated with levels of participation in mobility-based life habits for ambulatory children with CP. Evaluation of other factors and the direction of the relation within the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health is warranted to inform rehabilitation strategies.
Seattle Children's Research Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Electronic address: kristie.bjornson@seattlechildrens.org.
Kristie F
KF
Bjornson
Seattle Children's Research Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA.
Chuan
C
Zhou
University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA.
Richard D
RD
Stevenson
Seattle Children's Research Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA.
Dimitri
D
Christakis
D061725:Accelerometry; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Assessment of Life Habits—Child version; CP; Cerebral palsy; GMFCS; Gross Motor Function Classification System; ICF; International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health; LIFE-H; Rehabilitation; Walking; cerebral palsy