The investigation of the relationship between the motion quality and performance of the upper extremity and control of the trunk in children with spastic cerebral palsy

Purpose: This study was carried out to investigate the relationship between trunk control and quality of motion and performance of the upper extremity in children with spastic Cerebral Palsy (CP). Material and method: Fourty two children with spastic cerebral palsy, ages between 5 to 17 years, who were in the I-III level according to the Gross Motor Functional Classification System (GMFCS) were included in the study group and twenty children without any mental-motor disorders were included to the control group. Sociodemographic characteristics and general health information of 62 children were recorded in the "evaluation form". General motor impairment status was evaluated by "Gross Motor Function Classification System". Independence levels in daily life evaluated with "Functional Independence Measurement" (WeeFIM). Upper extremity range of motion was evaluated by "universal goniometer". Upper extremity tonus status was evaluated by "Modified Tardieu Scale" (MTS). Trunk control was evaluated with "Trunk Control Measurement Scale" (TCMS) and upper extremity functions were evaluates by using the "Manual Ability Classification System" (MACS), "ABILHAND-Kids", "Box and Block Test", "Nine Hole Peg Test", Pink Tower Duration Performance Test". Result: As a result of the study, a significant relation was found between the TCMS score and ABILHAND-Kids (r= -0.552), Box-Block Test (r= 0.396, 0.529), and Nine Hole Peg Test (r= -0.358, -0.629) scores in the study group (p <0.05). In the control group, there was a significant relationship between the TCMS score and ABILHAND-Kids (r=-0.514) and Box-Block Test scores (r=0.465, 0.514) (p <0.05). There was a significant difference between the study and control group scores of TCMS, ABILHAND-Kids, Box-Block Test, Nine-Hole Peg Test and Pink Tower Duration Performance Test (p <0.001). Conclusion: According to the results of our study, it is possible to say that trunk control, which is frequently seen in children with CP and significantly affects the activities of daily life has a significant role in the quality and performance of the upper extremity.