Doria Bellows1, Marija Bucevska2, Cynthia Verchere2. 1. Physiotherapy Department, British Columbia Children's Hospital. 2. Division of Pediatric Plastic Surgery, Department of Plastic Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Most children with severe birth-related brachial plexus injury (BRBPI) have some functional impairment, but information on the impact of BRBPI on coordination and balance is limited. The study's purpose was to determine whether children with BRBPI exhibit deficits in body coordination and balance. METHOD: A prospective cohort study involving 39 children with BRBPI aged 5-15 years was conducted. Range of motion, strength, active movement, and balance and coordination motor skills were assessed using the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, Second Edition (BOT-2), and the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-Second Edition (MABC-2). A self-report measure of physical disability, the Activities Scale for Kids-Performance Version (ASKp), was also administered. RESULTS: Participants scored a mean of 44.72 on the BOT-2 Body Coordination composite subtest; scores can range from 20 to 80. Eleven participants (28.2%) scored below average on this test. Participants scored a mean of 7.3 on the Balance subtest of the MABC-2; scores can range from 1 to 19. Twenty-six participants (66.7%) scored below average on this test. Of 38 participants, 25 (65.8%) had an ASKp score indicating some level of disability (<95/100); we found a statistically significant difference in balance (p=0.007) between these 25 participants and those without disability (ASKp score 95-100). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of our study population scored in the categories of at risk or significant difficulty for balance on the MABC-2. Balance rehabilitation may be a valuable treatment adjunct for children with BRBPI.
PURPOSE: Most children with severe birth-related brachial plexus injury (BRBPI) have some functional impairment, but information on the impact of BRBPI on coordination and balance is limited. The study's purpose was to determine whether children with BRBPI exhibit deficits in body coordination and balance. METHOD: A prospective cohort study involving 39 children with BRBPI aged 5-15 years was conducted. Range of motion, strength, active movement, and balance and coordination motor skills were assessed using the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, Second Edition (BOT-2), and the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-Second Edition (MABC-2). A self-report measure of physical disability, the Activities Scale for Kids-Performance Version (ASKp), was also administered. RESULTS:Participants scored a mean of 44.72 on the BOT-2 Body Coordination composite subtest; scores can range from 20 to 80. Eleven participants (28.2%) scored below average on this test. Participants scored a mean of 7.3 on the Balance subtest of the MABC-2; scores can range from 1 to 19. Twenty-six participants (66.7%) scored below average on this test. Of 38 participants, 25 (65.8%) had an ASKp score indicating some level of disability (<95/100); we found a statistically significant difference in balance (p=0.007) between these 25 participants and those without disability (ASKp score 95-100). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of our study population scored in the categories of at risk or significant difficulty for balance on the MABC-2. Balance rehabilitation may be a valuable treatment adjunct for children with BRBPI.
Authors: Els Spaargaren; Jasmyn Ahmed; Willem J R van Ouwerkerk; Vincent de Groot; Heleen Beckerman Journal: Eur J Paediatr Neurol Date: 2011-04-20 Impact factor: 3.140
Authors: Mikko Kirjavainen; Ville Remes; Jari Peltonen; Pentti Kinnunen; Tiina Pöyhiä; Timo Telaranta; Markku Alanen; Ilkka Helenius; Yrjänä Nietosvaara Journal: J Bone Joint Surg Am Date: 2007-01 Impact factor: 5.284