RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Primary symptoms of cerebral palsy (CP), such as spasm and weakness, can lead to secondary musculoskeletal problems. Exploring the interplay and impact of secondary symptoms is essential in CP management. METHODS: A total of 56 children (32 males and 24 females) aged eight to 12 years in level I to III of Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) completed The Pediatric Balance Scale and Wong-Baker Faces Scale and the Posture and Postural Ability Scale. Relationships between the three groups were examined using the Kruskal-Wallis test, Tukey test, gamma coefficient, De Somers D, phi coefficient, Cramér V, and one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: There was a significant correlation between balance and postural asymmetry (P < 0.001), and no significant difference in balance was there between the severe and moderate asymmetry groups (P = 0.759) and between the mild asymmetry and no asymmetry groups (P = 0.374). Furthermore, there was a significant relationship between postural asymmetry and each of the variables of pain (P < 0.001) and gross motor function (P = 0.002). Although a meaningful correlation was identified between balance and gross motor function (P < 0.001), the relationship between postural asymmetry and balance in GMFCS levels was not found (P = 0.052, P = 0.052, P = 0.233). Conversely, no significant relationship was detected between pain and gross motor function (P = 0.072). SIGNIFICANCE: Postural asymmetry negatively impacts balance and correlates with pain intensity. Addressing postural problems can contribute to pain management and improved balance.
RESUMEN
AIM: This study aimed to assess the content, concurrent validity, test-retest, and intra-rater reliability of the Persian version of the Functional Mobility Scale (FMS) for evaluating functional mobility in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP). METHODS: Following international standards for measurement translation, we developed a Persian version of the FMS. A total of 160 participants took part in this study. Concurrent validity was assessed using Spearman's coefficient to correlate with the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). Test-retest (n = 30) and intra-rater (n = 30) reliability of the FMS were also examined by Cohen's weighted kappa coefficient. RESULTS: Concurrent validity ranged from -0.912 to -0.941 for children and -0.912 to -0.936 for adolescents. Test-retest ranged from 0.902 to 1. Intra-rater ranged from 0.933 to 0.987. CONCLUSION: The Persian version of the FMS demonstrates very strong validity and almost perfect reliability for assessing and classifying functional mobility in children and adolescents with CP. These findings suggest that this tool could be a useful addition to clinical practice and research for the Persian-speaking population.
RESUMEN
In this randomized clinical trial, we look for the following questions' answer: How does the integration of LMC affect (1) upper extremity (UE) function, (2) grip strength, and (3) lateral and palmar pinch strength in children with cerebral palsy (CP), in comparison with conventional rehabilitation methods? Twenty patients were randomly assigned to LMC (case) or conventional (control) groups. The grip, lateral and palmar pinch forces increased in case group patients more than control group both at the end of intervention (P < .001 for all three), and at 20 weeks' follow-up (P values 0.035, 0.002, and 0.002). The Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test (QUEST) score changes were similar between two groups, except for grasp score at the end of step 2 and 3 (P = .04 and 0.01, respectively). The addition of LMC to the rehabilitation program of patients with CP may improve the UE motor function outcomes.
