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Walking ability and predictors of performance on the 6‐minute walk test in adults with spastic cerebral palsy
Author(s) -
MAANUM GRETHE,
JAHNSEN REIDUN,
FRøSLIE KATHRINE F,
LARSEN KERSTIN L,
KELLER ANNE
Publication year - 2010
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.1469-8749.2010.03614.x
Subject(s) - cerebral palsy , gross motor function classification system , spastic , spasticity , physical medicine and rehabilitation , physical therapy , timed up and go test , gait , medicine , spastic cerebral palsy , rehabilitation , psychology , balance (ability)
Aim To describe walking ability and identify factors predicting walking capacity in adults with spastic cerebral palsy (CP) assessed with the 6‐minute walk test (6MWT). Method A cross‐sectional clinical study as part of the recruitment process for a randomized controlled trial on the effects of botulinum toxin A. Data analysed were the 6MWT, Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, Borg Scale, spasticity, muscle strength, popliteal angle, pain, fatigue, type of CP, foot deformity, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels, Functional Mobility Scale (FMS) scores, a gait questionnaire, interview, and demographic data. Results In total, 126 persons were included (53 males, 73 females; mean age 39y [SD 12y]; 59 with unilateral and 67 with bilateral spastic CP; GMFCS level I, n =12; level II, n =94; level III, n =20). Mean distance on the 6MWT was 485m (SD 95m) with FMS scores reflecting independent walking performance in daily life. Multiple regression analysis identified sex, type of CP, popliteal angle, pain, and TUG values as significant predictors, with TUG values as the strongest predictor (standardized regression coefficient =−0.57, p <0.001). Interpretation Our results demonstrate that 39% of the participants had declined one GMFCS level from adolescence to their present age, and that the TUG was the strongest predictor for the 6MWT. This implicates the importance of focusing specifically on the different elements of functional mobility in further studies.