DefinePK

Research Objective

To assess children with cerebral palsy using the Common Brief Core Set of International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health for Children and Youth (ICF-CY).

Methodology

Cross-sectional study conducted at Children Hospital & Institute of Child Health, Lahore, Pakistan, from November 2020 to January 2021. Fifty-nine children with cerebral palsy (CP) aged 0-18 years were included. The Common Brief Core Set of ICF-CY was administered to assess functional status, including strengths and weaknesses in body structure, body function, activity and participation, and environmental factors. Assessment tools acknowledged in literature were used, supplemented by open-ended questions for items not covered by specific scales. Body structure was assessed using MRI brain. A scoring system from 0 to 4 was used for body functions, body structures, and activities/participation (0=no impairment, 4=complete impairment), and for environmental factors (+4=complete facilitator, -4=complete barrier). Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25.0.

Methodology Flowchart

                        graph TD;
    A["Recruit 59 children with CP 0-18 years"] --> B["Administer Common Brief Core Set of ICF-CY"];
    B --> C["Assess Body Structure, Body Function, Activity/Participation, Environmental Factors"];
    C --> D["Score impairments and environmental factors"];
    D --> E["Analyze data using SPSS"];
    E --> F["Identify key findings and draw conclusions"];                    

Discussion

The study highlights the utility of the Common Brief Core Set of ICF-CY as a guiding tool for assessing the functional profile of children with cerebral palsy. It provides a comprehensive functional approach, considering various factors affecting a child's capabilities, unlike other classification systems that focus solely on impairments. The findings indicate significant impairments in body functions, activities, and participation, with environmental factors posing substantial barriers. The ICF-CY can aid healthcare professionals in planning more structured and effective rehabilitative services.

Key Findings

The majority of participants (64.4%) had spastic quadriplegic CP. Periventricular leukomalacia was noted in 67.9% on MRI brain. Moderate to severe impairment was observed in intellectual function (78%). In terms of mobility, 44.1% had mild to moderate impairment in walking, and 6.8% could walk without impairment. Social attitudes and building design were identified as major environmental barriers affecting functionality.

Conclusion

The Common Brief Core Set of ICF-CY is a useful and standardized tool for assessing the functional level of children with cerebral palsy. Moderate to severe impairments were prevalent in body functioning, activity, and participation. Environmental factors, such as social attitudes and building design, were identified as significant barriers. Implementing these core sets can standardize functional assessments of CP globally.

Fact Check

* Prevalence of CP: The text states the overall prevalence of cerebral palsy is 2.08 per 1000.
* Sample Size: The study included 59 children with cerebral palsy.
* Type of CP: The majority of study participants (64.4%) were spastic quadriplegic.

Mind Map