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Walking function, pain, and fatigue in adults with cerebral palsy: a 7‐year follow‐up study
Author(s) -
OPHEIM ARVE,
JAHNSEN REIDUN,
OLSSON ELISABETH,
STANGHELLE JOHAN K
Publication year - 2009
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/j.1469-8749.2008.03250.x
Subject(s) - cerebral palsy , physical therapy , balance (ability) , spastic , medicine , physical medicine and rehabilitation , rehabilitation , gross motor function classification system , activities of daily living , psychology
Aim To compare walking function, pain, and fatigue in adults with cerebral palsy (CP) 7 years after an initial survey. Method A multidimensional questionnaire was mailed to 226 people with unilateral (hemiplegic) or bilateral (diplegic) spastic CP who had participated in a 1999 survey. People with additional diagnoses were excluded. Special emphasis was placed on participants with deterioration in walking. The questionnaire was the same as in 1999. Results One hundred and forty‐nine participants (76 males, 73 females; mean age 40y 5mo, SD 10y 7mo, range 24–76y) with a diagnosis of unilateral ( n =81) or bilateral ( n =68) spastic CP responded. Fifty‐two per cent of all participants reported deterioration in walking function since debut of walking, compared with 39% 7 years previously. In participants with bilateral CP, 71% reported deteriorated walking, compared with 37% of participants with unilateral CP. Participants with deteriorated walking function had greater pain frequency, pain intensity, impact of pain on daily activities, and physical fatigue and reduced balance. The number of people reporting overall mobility problems was almost double compared with 7 years previously. Interpretation The main finding was an increased prevalence of deteriorated walking, significantly associated with bilateral spastic CP, pain, fatigue, and reduced balance. Rehabilitation programmes addressing these areas are needed.