Self-Care in Preschool Children with Cerebral Palsy

The study examined the relationship of self-care in preschool children with cerebral palsy and manual ability.

Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology published a longitudinal study on 290 children with cerebral palsy aged 18 months to 5 years of age. The study examined the relationship of self-care in preschool children with cerebral palsy and manual ability.

Methodology of the Study on Self-Care in Preschool Children with Cerebral Palsy

Each participant was evaluated for self-care using the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI). At 5 years of age, each child manual ability was classified using the Manual Ability Classification System (MACS). The children were classified as follows:

  • 113 in level I (47%)
  • 61 in MACS level II (25%)
  • 24 in MACS level III (10%)
  • 14 in MACS level IV (6%)
  • 30 in MACS level V (12%).

Measures were also taken at 18 months, 24 months, 30 months, 36 months, 48 months, and 60 months of age.

Results of the Study on Self-Care in Preschool Children with CP

Longitudinal data analysis indicated the following:

  • self‐care development at 60 months of age was negatively associated with the severity of manual ability impairment.
  • Distinct self‐care developmental trajectories were found with estimated changes in PEDI self‐care scaled scores per month: 0.61 for MACS level I, 0.46 for MACS levels II, 0.31 for MACS level III, 0.16 for MACS level IV, and 0.03 for MACS level V.
  • Children classified in MACS level V had the lowest level of self‐care skills at 18 months and showed no progress in self‐care development.

Conclusion

The researchers concluded that self‐care performance was highest in children with greatest manual ability. The PEDI trajectories can help clinicians to predict or monitor self‐care performance and assist with goal setting.

Reference:

Burgess, A., Boyd, R. N., Ziviani, J., Ware, R. S., & Sakzewski, L. (2018). Self‐care and manual ability in preschool children with cerebral palsy: a longitudinal study. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology.

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The study examined the relationship of self-care in preschool children with cerebral palsy and manual ability.