Spastic Diplegic Cerebral Palsy: Gmfm88 in Children Before and Two Years After Physical Rehabilitation

The study aimed to assess gross motor function in children with spastic diplegia – the second most common form of cerebral palsy (CP) – before and after two years of physical rehabilitation by means of conventional physiotherapy interventions. The study was conducted at the Ken Walker University Clinic of Medical Rehabilitation (Georgia, Tbilisi) among 31 children with spastic diplegia aged 5 to 12 years old (inclusive). The functioning of the clinic is supported within the framework of a project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the goal of which is to develop physical rehabilitation in Georgia (Tbilisi).The specialists have undergone full professional education and training under the guidance of experts from the Emory University School of Medicine. The children with spastic diplegia were divided into four age groups: group aged 5 – 6 consisted of 8 patients; group aged 7 – 8 consisted of 8 patients; group aged 9 – 10 consisted of 8 patients; group aged 11 – 12 consisted of 7 patients. The level of the child’s ability was assessed in accordance with the Gross Motor Function Classification System. The Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-88) was used in the evaluation of gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy, which took into account the 5 qualitative characteristics (lying and rolling; sitting; crawling and kneeling; standing; walking, running, and jumping) for the planning of the intervention and the assessment of rehabilitation effectiveness. Children underwent an interdisciplinary rehabilitation program before and two years after conventional physiotherapy. As a result gross motor function scores significantly increased in all age groups, especially in 5–6-year-old children. The efficiency of conventional physiotherapy interventions is confirmed by the increased range of motion in all joints of the lower limbs, reduced spasticity and improved balance function.