Upper Extremity Impairments and Activities in Children with Bilateral Cerebral Palsy

Background: There is a lack of evidence about the upper extremity impairments and function in children with diparetic cerebral palsy. Objectives: This study was planned to investigate the upper extremity impairments, dexterity, grip strength and function in the daily living activities in children with diparetic cerebral palsy (CP). Methods: Eighteen children with diparetic CP and 15 typical peers between the ages 5 - 12 years were included in the study. Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) was used for the classification of upper extremity fine motor skills; WeeFIM for activities of daily living; Abilhand-Kids for the manual abilities; and Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) for the disability in the daily living activities respectively. Grip strength was evaluated with Jamar Hand Dynamometer, hand functions were assessed with Nine-hole Peg Test and Jebsen-Taylor test. Results: Children with diparetic CP were affected in manual abilities and functions, grip strength, activities of daily living, and levels of disability and the results were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusions: As a conclusion, upper extremity impairments, dexterity, grip strength, and functions in the activities of daily living are affected in children with diparetic CP. Physiotherapy interventions for upper extremities and hand should be included as well as the lower extremities in the treatment of the spastic diparetic children.