An ICF-based approach for cerebral palsy from a biopsychosocial perspective

Abstract

Objectives: To integrate instruments to operationalize an ICF-based approach for cerebral palsy (CP); to assess differences in activity and participation among children with hemiplegia, diplegia and quadriplegia CP; to verify the facilitators or barriers to functioning; and to investigate the explanatory factors (cognitive and motor) for the type of school attended by children with CP (regular or special).

Methods: Sixty children with CP were assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination and an ICF-based instrument and their parents were interviewed. Data were analysed by Chi-Squared, Anova's and Kruskal–Wallis tests and multivariate logistic regression.

Results: Significant differences between CP sub-groups were found for chewing, urinary function, cognitive function and activities and participation. Twelve environmental factors were identified as barriers. Multivariate regression identified cognitive function as a significant explanatory variable for the type of school attended, whereas motor function was not significant.

Conclusions: The ICF-based approach allows a comprehensive assessment, relevant for planning interventions.

• Cerebral palsy
• International Classification of Functioning
• Disability and Health
• ICF
• ICF-CY
• ICF-based approach
• environmental factors
• biopsycosocial perspective