Relationship between Motor Functioning, Eating and Drinking Ability and Communication Ability in Adolescents with Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

Background:There are limited studies in the literature which reflects the relationship between gross motor functioning, communication ability, feeding and swallowing problems in adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP). Since adolescence period is unique and distinct, aneed was felt to understand the same in adolescents with CP.Objective:To understand the relationship between various functions such as gross motor ability, communication functioning, eating and drinking ability in adolescents with CP.Methods:A cross sectional study was conducted with a random sampling of 15 participants in the age range of 13 to 17.11 years with all the ethical standards met. Gross motor ability, communication functioning, eating and drinking ability were studied through various classifications systems such as Gross Motor Function Classification System Expanded and Revised(GMFCSE & R), Communication Function Classification System (CFCS), Eating and Drinking Ability Classification System (EDACS) respectively. Spearman correlation was done find the relationship between the classification systems.Results:Results of the current study indicated amoderate correlation between GMFCS and CFCS scale (correlation coefficient, r = 0.67,p<0.00**)and between GMFCS and EDACS (correlation coefficientr = 0.67, p<0.00**).A strong correlation was found between EDACS and CFCS (r=0.72, p<0.05**).Conclusions:There was a relationship between all the three classification systems in adolescents with CP in the current study. This implies that in adolescents with CP, various functions such as eating and drinking, gross motor functions, communication ability are interdependent and interrelated