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Fatigue and its relationship with physical activity, age, and body composition in adults with cerebral palsy
Author(s) -
McPhee Patrick G,
Brunton Laura K,
Timmons Brian W,
Bentley Todd,
Gorter Jan Willem
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
developmental medicine and child neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.658
H-Index - 143
eISSN - 1469-8749
pISSN - 0012-1622
DOI - 10.1111/dmcn.13306
Subject(s) - waist , gross motor function classification system , cerebral palsy , medicine , physical therapy , body mass index , confidence interval , stepwise regression , physical activity , circumference , geometry , mathematics
Aim The objectives of this exploratory study were (1) to describe the experience of fatigue in adults with cerebral palsy ( CP ) inclusive of all levels of the Gross Motor Function Classification System ( GMFCS ); and (2) to determine if physical activity level, sedentary time, age, or body composition can predict fatigue in adults with CP . Method An observational study was conducted in an outpatient setting in Ontario, Canada. Participants included adults with CP ( n =41; GMFCS levels I–V; mean age 33.7y, standard deviation [ SD ] 12.3y). Fatigue was measured using the Fatigue Impact and Severity Self‐Assessment ( FISSA ) questionnaire. Habitual physical activity and sedentary time were measured using accelerometry. Body mass index ( BMI ) and waist circumference were reported as measures of body composition. Results The mean ( SD ) FISSA score for all participants was 84.5 (30.6), ranging from 54.0 (18.3) ( GMFCS level I) to 93.6 (21.9) ( GMFCS level V). Significant positive relationships (regression coefficient β [95% confidence intervals]) were observed between BMI and FISSA scores (1.9 [0.73–3.1]), waist circumference and FISSA scores (0.71 [0.19–1.2]), and age and FISSA scores (0.99 [0.26–1.7]). A significant negative relationship was observed between moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity ( MVPA ) per hour and FISSA scores −6.4 [−12 to −0.83]). Backwards stepwise regression analysis revealed BMI (1.8 [0.61–2.9]) and MVPA per hour (−5.4 [−10 to −0.30]) were significant predictors of FISSA scores. Interpretation Health care providers should consider the importance of weight management and physical activity to prevent and treat fatigue in this population.