Measurements of functional outcomes in children with cerebral palsy

✍ Scribed by Msall, Michael E. ;Rogers, Brian T. ;Ripstein, Heather ;Lyon, Nancy ;Wilczenski, Felicia

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1997
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 131 KB
• Volume: 3
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1080-4013
• DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1098-2779(1997)3:2<194::aid-mrdd11>3.0.co;2-q

✦ Synopsis

This review describes functional measures applicable to children, adolescents, and young adults with cerebral palsy. The World Health Organization (WHO) and National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research (NCMRR) Models of Impairment, Functional Limitations, Disability, Social Limitations, and Handicap as applied to persons with cerebral palsy are discussed. Motor measurements of impairment include developmental postural control, gross motor function and motor performance rates, and various classifications of cerebral palsy severity. Measures of functional skills in daily living include the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI), Pediatric Functional Independence Measure (WeeFIM), Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (VABS), Scales of Independent Behavior (SIB), and Battelle Developmental Inventory. Measures of handicap include family stressors, extended activities of daily living, and healthrelated quality-of-life. If the promise of legislative policies and family-centered support programs are to be realized, research is required to evaluate the functional effects of developmental therapies, assistive technologies, neuropharmacology, surgical interventions, and educational curricula.