Changes in Walking Performance between Childhood and Adulthood in Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To examine the changes in walking performance between childhood and adulthood in cerebral palsy.

Methods: Cohort studies were included if the participants were children with cerebral palsy at Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) Level I-IV, initial measurement of walking by 13 years of age and follow-up measurement by 30 years of age.

Results: At GMFCS Level I+ II, 7% (95% CI 6–8) had declined to GMFCS Level III. At GMFCS Level III, 4% (95% CI 3–6) had declined to GMFCS Level IV and 31% (95% CI 27–34) had improved to GMFCS Level I+ II. At GMFCS Level IV, 2% (95% CI 1–4) had improved to GMFCS Level III and 3% (95% CI 2–4) had improved to GMFCS Level I+ II.

Discussion: The results suggest that walking performance is stable from childhood to adulthood at either end of the spectrum of ability but is more changeable for intermediate walkers.

KEYWORDS:

• Cerebral palsy
• cohort study
• walking
• systematic review
• meta-analysis
• children

Declaration of interests

The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this paper.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology [MOST107-2320-B-214 −002 -MY3].