ABSTRACT

Objective : The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between functional capability, based on a Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI), and manual ability, based on the Manual Ability Classification System (MACS), for children with cerebral palsy . Methods : The subjects were 186 children with cerebral palsy who are using a rehabilitation program from one of sixteen welfare centers. Therapists classified the children using MACS, and the parents evaluated the functional capability of their children based on a PEDI questionnaire. The differences in their functional capabilities at each level of MACS were compared. We used Spearman rank-order correlation coefficients to analyze the relationship between the MACS and PEDI scores. We inspected the differences in the functional scores at each level using an ANOVA analysis and Bonferroni post-hoc. Results : The mean age of the 186 children (105 male, 81 female) was 7y 5mo [range of 4y 0mo - 13y 7mo]. There were significant differences in self-care (r = -.79) and mobility(r = -.77) between each level of MACS. Post-hoc results showed significant differences in self-care ability at all levels of MACS. Posthoc results showed significant differences in self-care ability at all levels of MACS except levels 1 and 2. A significant difference in mobility was found (p<.05) at all levels of MACS. Conclusion : MACS showed a strong relationship with self-care and mobility domain among the functional skills, with significant differences at each level. In conclusion, it is possible to roughly explain the functional skills of children with CP using MACS, indicating that MACS may be useful in clinical fields.