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.