title: Functional balance and gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare scores of children with cerebral palsy (CP) at different levels of Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), using the Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) and to assess whether it can be used to predict GMFCS levels in children with CP.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-eight children with CP levels I-V of GMFCS were assessed by PBS and grouped according to their GMFCS level.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It was observed differences in PBS scores between GMFCS I and II and between GMFCS II and III groups. Discriminant analysis indicated a 67% accuracy for the PBS instrument in assessing the GMFCS level of children with CP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PBS is able to detect differences among GMFCS levels I, II, and III of mild and moderate impairment. Accordingly, PBS can be used reliably in clinical practice to indicate the motor impairment level of such children. The results enable specify the expected tasks that are expected to be accomplished by the children in each GMFCS level, contributing with therapeutic planning and monitoring.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, Neuropediatrics Section, Federal University of São Carlos, Rod. Washington Luis, km 235, 13565-905 São Carlos-SP, Brazil. Electronic address: silvia_pavao@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Silvia Leticia
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Pavão
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, Neuropediatrics Section, Federal University of São Carlos, Rod. Washington Luis, km 235, 13565-905 São Carlos-SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Kayo Andre F
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Barbosa
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, Neuropediatrics Section, Federal University of São Carlos, Rod. Washington Luis, km 235, 13565-905 São Carlos-SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Tatiana de Oliveira
authors.initials: Tde O
authors.lastname: Sato
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, Neuropediatrics Section, Federal University of São Carlos, Rod. Washington Luis, km 235, 13565-905 São Carlos-SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Nelci Adriana Cicuto Ferreira
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Rocha
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016002:Discriminant Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
keywords: Cerebral palsy; GMFCS; Pediatric Balance Scale; Postural control; Scoring