Cerebral palsy

Abstract

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a lifespan motor disorder arising from damage to the developing brain before or shortly after birth. People with CP may experience problems with muscle coordination and difficulties with the organization and processing of sensory information. Functional mobility is impaired and commonly influenced by spasticity and musculoskeletal system problems such as contractures or bony torsion. Around 60% of individuals with CP are able to walk independently or with aids when entering adulthood. However, many adults with CP experience increasing balance and mobility dysfunction associated with premature aging. Falls and reduced falls efficacy are commonly experienced, with associated physical and psychosocial consequences. There is evidence that ambulant adults with CP may be able to enhance their functional balance and mobility as a result of an individualized exercise program of sufficient duration and intensity. However, whether such programs result in a reduction in falls is unknown. Given the high number of falls with injury experienced by this population, attention to fall risk factors and provision of basic fall prevention strategies are warranted.

Keywords: balance; cerebral palsy; falls; gait; mobility.