Eva Beckung

Gross and fine motor function and accompanying impairments in cerebral palsy.

The aim of this study was to describe and analyze gross and fine motor function and accompanying neurological impairments in children with cerebral palsy (CP) born between 1991 and 1998 in western Sweden. A population-based study comprised 411 children with a diagnosis of CP ascertained at 4 to 8 years of age. Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels were documented in 367 children (205 males, 162 females). Bimanual Fine Motor Function (BFMF) classification levels of 345 of the children and information on learning disability, epilepsy, visual and hearing impairments, and hydrocephalus from 353 children were obtained. For spastic CP, a new classification according to the Surveillance of Cerebral Palsy in Europe of uni- and bilateral spastic CP was applied. GMFCS was distributed at Level I in 32%, Level II in 29%, Level III in 8%, Level IV in 15%, and Level V in 16%. The corresponding percentages for BFMF were 30.7%, 31.6%, 12.2%, 11.9%, and 13.6% respectively. Learning disability was present in 40%, epilepsy in 33%, and severe visual impairment in 19% of the children. Motor function differed between CP types. More severe GMFCS levels correlated with larger proportions of accompanying impairments and, in children born at term, to the presence of adverse peri/neonatal events in the form of intracranial haemorrhage/stroke, cerebral infection, and hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy. GMFCS Level I correlated positively to increasing gestational age. We conclude that the classification of CP should be based on CP type and motor function, as the two combine to produce an indicator of total impairment load.

Walking ability is related to muscle strength in children with cerebral palsy

The purpose of this study was to assess the relation between muscle strength and walking ability in children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy at GMFCS levels I-III. 55 children (mean age 10.7, range 5-15) were tested for muscle strength in eight lower limb muscle groups with a handheld myometer. They were also tested with the Gross Motor Function Measure domains for standing and walking, running and jumping. Muscle strength in the legs was below normative predicted value in most of the children, with muscle weakness most pronounced around the ankle, followed by the hip muscles. There was a significant difference in muscle strength between GMFCS levels. There was also a moderate to high correlation between muscle strength and the GMFM, indicating that muscle weakness affects walking ability. Independently walking children had more than 50% of predicted muscle strength values.

Behaviour in Children with Cerebral Palsy with and without Epilepsy.

The aim of the study was to describe behavioural problems in children with cerebral palsy (CP) with and without epilepsy. The children were sampled from the Western Sweden CP register and were part of a European Union project. The Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire and questions on epilepsy were answered by one parent of each child. Medical records were reviewed. Parents of 83 children (44 males, 39 females) age range participated: 30 at Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I and II, and 53 at levels III to V; 60 had spastic age range 8 to 12 years (bilateral 42, unilateral 18) and 23 dyskinetic CP; 34 children had active epilepsy. The proportion of children with normal behaviour on the total difficulties score (TDS) of the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire was significantly lower than normative data (57% vs 80%, p<0.001). Parents of 21 children (25%) considered their child’s behaviour to be abnormal. Children with CP and epilepsy had a significantly higher median TDS (p=0.03) than seizure‐free children. In children with aided or no walking ability, the TDS was significantly higher in those with epilepsy (p=0.04). Parents of 32 children (39%) considered their children’s behaviour to have an impact on themselves and others. We conclude that behavioural problems are common in children with CP, and even more when epilepsy is present. Parents identify these problems, and professionals need to address them.

Are infants with torticollis at risk of a delay in early motor milestones compared with a control group of healthy infants

Recently it has been claimed that infants with congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) are at risk of a delay in early motor milestones. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether infants with CMT are indeed at risk in comparison with a control group of healthy infants. A second aim was to investigate whether the time spent in a prone position and plagiocephaly had any influence on motor development. Eighty‐two infants with CMT (35 females and 47 males) were compared with 40 healthy infants (18 females and 22 males). Motor development was assessed with the Alberta Infant Motor scale (AIMS). Multiple regression showed that infants in the CMT group had a significantly lower AIMS score than the control group at 2 months (p=0.03) and 6 months of age (p=0.05). Infants who spent at least three occasions daily in a prone position when awake had significantly higher AIMS scores than infants who spent less time prone at 2 months (p=0.001), 6 months (p<0.001), and 10 months of age (p<0.001). The CMT group achieved early motor milestones significantly later than the control group until the age of 10 months, but the risk of delay seems to be more strongly associated with little or no time prone when awake than with CMT.

Validity and reliability of the muscle function scale, aimed to assess the lateral flexors of the neck in infants

Infants with congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) often have an imbalance in muscle function in the lateral flexors of the neck, and the need for a valid and reliable assessment tool to determine muscle function in these muscles is essential. The lateral uprighting response is used to examine and to strengthen the sternocleidomastoid muscle. A Muscle Function Scale (MFS) has been refined and used for several years in a clinic for infants with CMT. The MFS describes an infants muscle function in the lateral flexors of the neck through ordered categorical scores. The aim of this study was to find out if the muscle function scale (MFS) is valid and reliable. A panel of experts examined validity, and the kappa statistic and intraclass correlation coefficient were calculated for interrater and intrarater reliability. The MFS is found to be a valid tool to measure the muscle function of the lateral flexors of the neck in infants with CMT. The interrater and intrarater reliability is high for both novice and experienced physiotherapists (kappa>0.9; ICC>0.9).

Self-assessment of well-being in a group of children with epilepsy

Epilepsy is common in childhood, the prevalence being about five per 1000 children. The purpose of this study was to assess well-being in children with controlled epilepsy (but did not include those with obvious neurodeficits such as mental retardation or cerebral palsy) and compare them with age-matched healthy children. The patient group comprised of 31 children, 12 boys and 19 girls, whereas the control population group consisted of 342 children, 176 boys and 166 girls who were all in good health. All children involved in the study were aged between 9-13 years. A questionnaire was distributed to the children to complete. It consisted of 39 bipolar adjectives and a visual analogue scale was employed. The results show that the group of children with controlled epilepsy did not differ significantly from the age-matched control group. There was no significant difference between the sexes except for the dimension of vitality, where the boys scored better than the girls. Thus the well-being of children with controlled epilepsy seems to be similar to that of children from a control population. The psychometric properties of the instrument were also assessed. An assessment of well-being in children with intractable epilepsy, using a similar approach, is in progress.

Stretching treatment for infants with congenital muscular torticollis: physiotherapist or parents? A randomized pilot study.

To investigate the time needed to achieve a good result in the range of motion (ROM) in the neck for infants with congenital muscular torticollis (CMT).

Evaluation of treatment strategies for muscle function in infants with congenital muscular torticollis

This study focuses on the treatment of the muscle function imbalance and asymmetric head posture for infants with congenital muscular torticollis (CMT). The aim of this study was to compare treatment time for groups with different strategies for muscle function training. The treatment goal was to achieve a symmetric head posture. Thirty-seven infants were randomised to three groups. Group I was treated only with handling strategies. Group II got the same handling strategies but also received specific strength exercises. Group III received the same treatment as group II but was also provided with weekly training by a physiotherapist. Mean age at the start of treatment was 4.5 months of age, range 1–10.5. The possible effect of covariates was also investigated; age at the start of treatment, range of motion (ROM) in rotation of the neck, ROM in lateral flexion of the neck, the muscle function scale (MFS) score, plagiocephaly, and gender were analysed with ANCOVA. Thirty-one treated infants achieved symmetric head posture before the age of 12 months. Mean treatment time (3.5 month) did not differ significantly between the groups. All infants randomised to group I could stay in that group. The MFS score and age at the start of the treatment influenced treatment time (p < 0.05). The treatment time for all groups was similar. Early referral to physical therapy of infants with CMT and muscle function imbalance in lateral righting could shorten treatment time. Studies about natural course and long-term effects of muscular imbalance must be investigated in future research.

Stability of motor function and associated impairments between childhood and adolescence in young people with cerebral palsy in Europe.

The aim of the study was to investigate whether impairments associated with cerebral palsy were stable between childhood and adolescence.

Children Who Had Congenital Torticollis as Infants Are Not at Higher Risk for a Delay in Motor Development at Preschool Age

To investigate whether congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) or the time in a prone position as an infant had any influence on motor development at preschool age.