Ambulatory activity of children with cerebral palsy: which characteristics are important?

L. van Wely, J.G. Becher, A.C.J. Balemans, A.J. Dallmeijer

    Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

    Abstract

    Aim To assess ambulatory activity of children with cerebral palsy (CP), aged 7 to 13years, and identify associated characteristics. Method Sixty-two children with spastic CP (39 males, 23 females; mean age 10y 1mo, SD 1y 8mo; age range 7-13y), classified as Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I to III, participated. Ambulatory activity was measured during 1week with a StepWatch activity monitor as steps per day, and time spent at medium and high step rates. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed following a backward selection procedure until only independent variables with p<0.05 remained in the model. Ambulatory activity outcome parameters served as dependent variables, and disease, personal, and environmental characteristics as independent variables. Ambulatory activity was corrected for body height. Results Children took more steps during school days (5169 steps, SD 1641) than during weekend days (4158 steps, SD 2048; p<0.001). Higher GMFCS level, bilateral CP, and higher age were associated with lower ambulatory activity on school days (R
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)436-442
    JournalDevelopmental Medicine and Child Neurology
    Volume54
    Issue number5
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2012

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