The Observational Gait Scale Can Help Determine the GMFCS Level in Children With Cerebral Palsy

Purpose: To evaluate the association between the Observational Gait Scale (OGS) and the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) in walking children with cerebral palsy (CP). Methods: The charts of 512 children with CP GMFCS levels I to IV were reviewed for the OGS score and GMFCS level at their initial visit. Results: The OGS score decreased with increasing GMFCS levels. The average OGS for GMFCS level I was 13.1 (2.8), level II was 11.3 (2.7), level III was 7.7 (2.7), and level IV was 6.1 (2.0). A significant negative relationship was seen between the OGS and the GMFCS. In particular, each GMFCS level was different across all levels in a pairwise comparison. In addition, multivariate modeling analysis confirmed that the association between the OGS and the GMFCS was still valid, after adjusting for age and gender. Conclusions: The OGS is a quick tool to rate gait and help confirm a child's GMFCS level.