Investigation of postural control, motor function, functional level and independence level in children with dyskinetic cerebral palsy

This study was conducted to compare the postural control, motor function, functional level and independence levels of children with dyskinetic cerebral palsy (DCP) with the control group and to examine the relationship between the postural control level and motor function, functional level and independence level in children with DCP. The study included 23 children diagnosed with DSP and 23 typically developing controls aged between 6 and 12 years. Postural control levels of the children participating in the study were assessed using the Seated Postural Control Measure (SPCM), motor function levels using the Gross Motor Function Measure-88 (GMFM-88) and functional levels; gross motor function using the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), manual skills using the Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) and communication levels using the Communication Function Classification System (CFCS). Independence levels were determined using the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI). The mean age of the children with DCP who participated in the study was 9.4±2.04 years, %69.6 were male and %30.4 were female. The mean age of the typically developing control group was 9.2±1.88 years, %47.8 were male and %52.2 were female. As a result of the study, a statistically significant difference was found between the children with DCP and the control group in terms of postural control (p<0.0001), motor function (p<0.0001), functional level (p<0.0001) and independence level (p<0.0001). A positive, high level and statistically significant correlation was found between postural control levels and motor function levels in children with DCP (r=0.8008, p<.0001). On the other hand, negative, moderate and high level statistically significant relationships were found between postural control levels and functional levels (for gross motor function level r=-0.7494, p<.0001; for manual dexterity function level r=-0.7745, p<.0001; for communication function level r=-0.5516, p=0.0064). In addition, a positive, high level statistically significant relationship was found between postural control levels and independence levels of children with DCP (r=0.8008, p<.0001). KEYWORDS: Dyskinetic cerebral palsy, postural control, motor function level, functional level, independence level