Relationship Between Communication and Gross Motor Function in Quadriparetic Cerebral Palsy

Investigation of the Relationship Between Communication Function and Gross Motor Function in Patients With Quadriparetic Cerebral Palsy

Communication problems are frequently encountered in quadriparetic cerebral palsy. Additionally, motor impairments often accompany this condition. Communication problems can also reduce the benefits gained from treatments, which in turn negatively affects individuals functional independence as motor impairments persist. In this study, the researchers aimed to examine the relationship between communication function, gross motor function and functional independence level.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Communication Disorder, Childhood; Cerebral Palsy, Spastic Quadriplegic; Gross Motor Delay
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Evaluation of Cases with Quadriparetic Cerebral Palsy

Detailed Description

This study is an observational study conducted with data obtained from assessment scales and does not involve any treatment. The target population of the study consists of individuals diagnosed with quadriparetic cerebral palsy (QCP). Individuals with QCP aged 0-17 years were included in the study. Detailed medical histories were taken from the participants, and they were evaluated using the Communication Function Classification System (CFCS), the Pediatric Functional Independence Measure (WeeFIM), and the Gross Motor Function Measure-88 (GMFM-88). The aim of this study is to examine the effect of communication function on gross motor function and independence.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 20

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey
  • Istanbul, Turkey
    • Acıbadem Altunizade Hospital

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

Twenty quadriparetic cerebral palsy individuals between the ages of 0-17 were included in the study.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Ages between 0-17,
• Diagnosed with quadriparetic cerebral palsy,
• Participants and parents willing to participate in the study voluntarily.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Having different types of cerebral palsy such as dyskinetic, ataxic and mixed type,
• Having spastic diparetic or hemiparetic type cerebral palsy,
• Having any history of surgery on the musculoskeletal system,
• Having received Botulinum Toxin injections in the last 6 months

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Communication Function Classification System (CFCS)	The communication functions of patients were evaluated using the "Communication Function Classification System (CFCS)." CFCS assesses the daily communication performance of individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) across five levels. It evaluates all methods that affect communication performance, such as speech, facial expressions, gestures, eye contact, facial cues, and the use of augmentative and alternative communication methods. In CFCS, Level I indicates a better condition, while Level V represents more impaired situations.	1 month
The Pediatric Functional Independence Measure (WeeFIM)	The Pediatric Functional Independence Measure (WeeFIM) is a useful, brief, and comprehensive assessment method for identifying the functional limitations of children with developmental disorders. It consists of 18 items under the categories of self-care, sphincter control, transfers, mobility, communication, and social interaction. Each item is scored between 1 and 7. A child receives a score of 1 when performing an item with full assistance, and a score of 7 when completing it independently, safely, and in a timely manner. Afterwards, all scores are summed to calculate a percentage of independence. The WeeFIM assessments were carried out by physiotherapists based on information obtained from families. High scores on this scale indicate a high level of independence.	1 month
The Gross Motor Function Measure-88 (GMFM-88)	The Gross Motor Function Measure-88 (GMFM-88) was used to determine the functional performance of children. GMFM-88 is a standardized, validated observational scale, and it is mandatory to use the user manual for scoring each item. GMFM-88 evaluates five domains: lying and rolling, sitting, crawling and kneeling, standing, and walking. Each section is assessed individually, and a percentage score is calculated. The total score is obtained by averaging the percentage scores of the five sections. The items in the sections are scored as 0, 1, 2, or 3. The GMFM-88 scores were calculated by physiotherapists in strict adherence to the user manual. Total GMFM-88 score is evaluated out of 100, and higher scores indicate good gross motor development.	1 month

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Acıbadem Atunizade Hospital

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): January 1, 2019
• Primary Completion (Actual): December 31, 2022
• Study Completion (Actual): August 31, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: September 7, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 7, 2024
• First Posted (Estimated): September 11, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimated): September 19, 2024
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 12, 2024
• Last Verified: September 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Mental Disorders; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Neurologic Manifestations; Neurobehavioral Manifestations; Brain Damage, Chronic; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Cerebral Palsy; Communication Disorders
• Other Study ID Numbers: Ali Demir

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: Individual participant data will not be made available to other researchers.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No