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. 2013 Nov;55(11):1009-15.
doi: 10.1111/dmcn.12199. Epub 2013 Jul 9.

Postural asymmetries in young adults with cerebral palsy

Elisabet Rodby-Bousquet  1 , Tomasz Czuba, Gunnar Hägglund, Lena Westbom
Affiliations

Postural asymmetries in young adults with cerebral palsy

Elisabet Rodby-Bousquet et al. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2013 Nov.

Abstract

Aim: The purpose was to describe posture, ability to change position, and association between posture and contractures, hip dislocation, scoliosis, and pain in young adults with cerebral palsy (CP).

Methods: Cross-sectional data of 102 people (63 males, 39 females; age range 19-23 y, median 21 y) out of a total population with CP was analysed in relation to Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I (n=38), II (n=21), III (n=13), IV (n=10), and V (n=20). The CP subtypes were unilateral spastic (n=26), bilateral spastic (n=45), ataxic (n=12), and dyskinetic CP (n=19). The Postural Ability Scale was used to assess posture. The relationship between posture and joint range of motion, hip dislocation, scoliosis, and pain was analysed using logistic regression and Spearman's correlation.

Results: At GMFCS levels I to II, head and trunk asymmetries were most common; at GMFCS levels III to V postural asymmetries varied with position. The odds ratios (OR) for severe postural asymmetries were significantly higher for those with scoliosis (OR=33 sitting), limited hip extension (OR=39 supine), or limited knee extension (OR=37 standing). Postural asymmetries correlated to hip dislocations: supine (r(s) =0.48), sitting (r(s) =0.40), standing (r(s) =0.41), and inability to change position: supine (r(s) =0.60), sitting (r(s) =0.73), and standing (r(s) =0.64).

Conclusions: Postural asymmetries were associated with scoliosis, hip dislocations, hip and knee contractures, and inability to change position.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The number of adults with cerebral palsy being identified, invited, and included in the study, and the number of individuals excluded and the drop-outs.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

  • Stand up and be counted.
    Novak I. Novak I. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2013 Nov;55(11):974. doi: 10.1111/dmcn.12222. Epub 2013 Jul 22. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2013. PMID: 23869978 No abstract available.

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