Physical Activity Monitoring in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review
Location
Hager-Lubbers Exhibition Hall
Description
PURPOSE: The purpose of this systematic review was to compare the validity, reliability, and clinical use of commercially available monitors and qualitative assessments of physical activity in children with cerebral palsy. The aim was to inform clinicians about specific tools that have been used clinically to assess physical activity in children with cerebral palsy. METHODS: CINAHL, PubMed, PEDro, and ERIC databases were searched. Articles were included if they met the following criteria: 1) children with cerebral palsy were classified with a Gross Motor Function Classification System level; 2) children included were 1- 9 years of age; 3) reported physical activity was included; 4) commercially available activity monitors, tests, or measures with previously established validity and reliability were used; 5) The publication was peer-reviewed. RESULTS: Seven studies were included with the majority of the studies having moderate-to-poor rigor. Studies included direct and indirect measures of physical activity. Several measured broad domains of function only which included physical activity as just one domain. Few measures had a primary focus on physical activity; the only tools used with a primary focus on physical activity were the Gillette FAQ and ABILOCO-Kids. The measures most frequently included were the GMFM-88, CHQ, and WeeFIM. None of the studies used accelerometers to measure physical activity levels. CONCLUSIONS: Most assessment tools used in the seven studies were qualitative, holistic tools that did not primarily measure physical activity. However, very few objective measures exist to measure physical activity in children with cerebral palsy between the ages of 1 and 9 years.
Physical Activity Monitoring in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review
Hager-Lubbers Exhibition Hall
PURPOSE: The purpose of this systematic review was to compare the validity, reliability, and clinical use of commercially available monitors and qualitative assessments of physical activity in children with cerebral palsy. The aim was to inform clinicians about specific tools that have been used clinically to assess physical activity in children with cerebral palsy. METHODS: CINAHL, PubMed, PEDro, and ERIC databases were searched. Articles were included if they met the following criteria: 1) children with cerebral palsy were classified with a Gross Motor Function Classification System level; 2) children included were 1- 9 years of age; 3) reported physical activity was included; 4) commercially available activity monitors, tests, or measures with previously established validity and reliability were used; 5) The publication was peer-reviewed. RESULTS: Seven studies were included with the majority of the studies having moderate-to-poor rigor. Studies included direct and indirect measures of physical activity. Several measured broad domains of function only which included physical activity as just one domain. Few measures had a primary focus on physical activity; the only tools used with a primary focus on physical activity were the Gillette FAQ and ABILOCO-Kids. The measures most frequently included were the GMFM-88, CHQ, and WeeFIM. None of the studies used accelerometers to measure physical activity levels. CONCLUSIONS: Most assessment tools used in the seven studies were qualitative, holistic tools that did not primarily measure physical activity. However, very few objective measures exist to measure physical activity in children with cerebral palsy between the ages of 1 and 9 years.