Quantification of gait impairment using the gait profile and variable score in children with cerebral palsy.

Abstract

gait kinematic parameters of children with unilateral and bilateral cerebral palsy must be characterized separately by a statistical index with promising psychometric properties. The objective of this study was to compare both forms of cerebral palsy using the gait profile score and gait variable score. Gait profile score of 47 children with cerebral palsy classified with a Gross Motor Function Classification System level I-III were retrospectively calculated from gait analysis. Statistical analysis were used to compare (1) gait profile score between level I and II, (2) gait profile and variable score between children with unilateral (n = 28) and bilateral (n = 16) forms as well as their difference between both limbs for each subgroup (significance level of 0.05). The gait profile score was significantly different between level I and II (p ≤ 0.021). No significant difference was found for gait profile score between both subgroups (p = 0.72) or between both limbs of children with bilateral form (p = 0.85). The gait profile score was significantly higher for the paretic compared to the non-paretic limb of children with unilateral form (p < 0.005). Significant differences were found for some gait variable score between subgroups (p < 0.05). The gait profile score can distinguish altered kinematic gait parameters in paretic from non-paretic limb in children with unilateral form. The gait variable score helps to localize the largest kinematic impairment.