Article

AIM: To explore the appropriateness of using the interval-scale version of the
Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-66) in paediatric acquired brain injury (ABI),
and to characterize GMFM-66 recovery trajectories and factors that affect them.
An observational study of gross motor recovery trajectories during
rehabilitation at a single specialist paediatric in-patient rehabilitation centre
using repeated GMFM-66 observations. The cohort comprised children rehabilitating
after severe ABI of various causes. RESULTS: A total of 287 GMFM observations
were made on 74 children (45 males, 29 females; age-at-injury range 0.3-17.3y,
median age 11.3y, interquartile range 6.6-15.0y). Differences in item-difficulty
estimates between this sample and the cerebral palsy population in which the
GMFM-66 was initially developed are not detectable at this sample size. Changes
in GMFM over time show lag-exponential forms. Children sustaining
hypoxic-ischaemic injuries made the slowest and least complete recoveries. Older
children made faster gross motor recoveries after controlling for aetiology. The
time at which gross motor ability began to rise coincided approximately with
admission to the rehabilitation facility. INTERPRETATION: Aetiology is strongly
associated with gross motor recovery after ABI. Younger age at injury was
associated with slower recovery. Comparable item-difficulty scores in this sample
and in the cerebral palsy population suggest comparable sequences of gross motor
ability reacquisition.
CI - (c) 2014 Mac Keith Press.

Langue : ANGLAIS