Physical Therapy Publications

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2019

Journal

Pediatric Physical Therapy

Volume

31

Issue

1

First Page

51

Last Page

59

URL with Digital Object Identifier

https://doi.org/10.1097/PEP.0000000000000552

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were to document longitudinal developmental trajectories in 6-minute walk test (6MWT) distances and to develop age-specific reference percentiles for children across different Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels.

METHODS: A TOTAL OF: 456 children with cerebral palsy ages 3 to 12 years of, GMFCS levels I to III participated. Children's motor function was classified on the GMFCS, and children completed the 6MWT 2 to 5 times in 2 years.

RESULTS: Longitudinal developmental trajectories support that 6MWT distances increase with age followed by a tapering, as children approach their functional limit relative to their GMFCS level. Reference percentile graphs were created to monitor change over time.

CONCLUSIONS: The 6MWT longitudinal developmental trajectories, reference percentiles, and interpretation of percentile change should assist collaborative and proactive intervention planning relative to functional walking capacity for children with cerebral palsy.

Notes

This is an author-accepted manuscript. The final published version by the Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy of the American Physical Therapy Association can be found at: https://journals.lww.com/pedpt/fulltext/2019/01000/Developmental_Trajectories_and_Reference.11.aspx

This article is emerged from research conducted by the On Track Study Team, which includes Dr. Doreen Bartlett, Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University.

The On Track Study was funded by Canadian Institutes of Health Research, MOP-119276 and The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, CE-12-11-5321.

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