2011 Volume 2 Pages 82-88
Kawarada S, Kondo I, Sonoda S, Yokoyama E, Tazawa Y, Yabunaka Y. Relationship between range of motion of lower extremity and gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy who have walking ability. Jpn J Compr Rehabil Sci 2011; 2: 82-88.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between range of motion of lower extremity and gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy (CP) who have walking ability.
Methods: The subjects were 30 children with CP who were able to walk and were classified as level I - III according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System for children with CP (GMFCS). We measured range of motion (ROM) of lower extremity as follows: 1) hip joint extension in Thomas posture; 2) knee joint extension; and 3) ankle joint dorsiflexion under knee joint extension. At the same time, we evaluated gross motor function at the dimension of standing and the dimension of walking, running and jumping by gross motor function measure (GMFM).
Results: There was a significant difference in ROM of hip joint extension between GMFCS level I and III and also between GMFCS level II and III, and hip joint ROM was closely related to gross motor function. ROM of knee joint extension was more limited in GMFCS level I - II children than in GMFCS level III. ROM of ankle joint extension did not differ significantly among the 3 GMFCS levels, and the correlation between ankle joint ROM and gross motor function was weak.
Conclusion: The results suggested that lower extremity ROM is one of the factors related to gross motor function in children with CP.
