Determinants of Gross Motor Function in Children With Ambulatory Spastic Cerebral Palsy: A Cross‐Sectional Study in Turkey

TL;DR

This study finds that urban residence and family quality of life are linked to better motor function in children with cerebral palsy.

Contribution

The study identifies urban residence and parental quality of life as novel predictors of gross motor function in children with spastic CP.

Findings

Children in urban areas had higher gross motor function and parental quality of life compared to rural areas.

Physical functioning and urban residence were significant predictors of gross motor function.

The predictors accounted for 37.9% of the variance in GMFM-66 scores.

Abstract

This study aims to explore the determinants of gross motor function in ambulatory children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP).

Sixty‐eight children diagnosed with spastic CP type were included in the study. Sociodemographic and clinical information of children with CP and their families was recorded. Children's gross motor function level was classified using the Gross Motor Function Classification System; gross motor function was assessed using the Gross Motor Function Measure‐66 (GMFM‐66); and parental quality of life was assessed using the Paediatric Quality of Life Scale Family Effects Module (PedsQL‐FIM).

No significant differences were observed in gross motor function or parental quality of life between hemiparetic and diparetic CP groups. However, children residing in urban areas showed significantly higher gross motor function and parental quality of life compared to those in rural areas (p < 0.05). Moderate correlations were found between gross motor function and physical functioning as well as place of residence (p < 0.05). Multiple regression indicated that physical functioning and urban residence were significant predictors of gross motor function, accounting for 37.9% of the variance in the GMFM‐66 score.

This study shows that the quality of life of parents of children and residence in the urban area are independent predictors of gross motor function in children with CP. These findings highlight the importance of considering family well‐being and environmental factors when developing interventions to improve gross motor function outcomes in children with CP.

Trial Registration: NCT06439446