Assessment of the use of lower extremity orthosis in children with cerebral palsy within the scope of international classification of functioning, disability and health

International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) is a coding system developed to describe the health status of individuals in a universal way. The increasingly common core sets are short forms of ICF categories that are specifically selected for diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship among the lower extremity orthoses commonly used in children with cerebral palsy (CP), body structure and functions, activity and participation level, and was to determine the relationship between clinical tests and ICF CP core set. For this purpose, a total of 77 children with ages between 3 and 18 were divided into 3 groups, including using a walking orthosis, using a resting orthosis, and using both walking and resting orthoses. Children's muscle tone, joint limitation, gross motor functions, balance skills, activity and participation levels and quality of life were assessed with the tests frequently used in the clinic separately and with the core set in a holistic framework. Significant differences were found in both body structure and function impairments, activity and participation level and quality of life among the groups according to core set scores and results of clinical tests (p<0.05). Children using resting orthosis were lower in all parameters than in other groups (p<0.05). Significant relationships were found between core set and other clinical tests (p <0.01). Children with resting orthoses had lower activity and participation. The most important factor limiting activity and participation was the level of ambulation. We think that the core set can be used in the clinic based on strong relationships between the core set and clinical tests. In assessing children with CP and in clinical decision-making for the use of orthotics, core sets can develop a new perspective to physiotherapists. Key Words: ICF, core set, cerebral palsy, lower extremity, orthoses