Relationships between problematic behaviors and motor abilities of children with cerebral palsy

Abstract

[Purpose] This study aimed to examine whether motor abilities of children with cerebral palsy are related to their problematic behaviors. [Subjects] The subjects were children with mental retardation who were undergoing physical therapy. [Methods] Twenty-one examiners, 13 physical therapists, and 8 occupational therapists treated and examined the subjects by using the Japanese version of the Aberrant Behavior Checklist. The Japanese version of the Aberrant Behavior Checklist scores were compared between the Gross Motor Function Classification System I to III (12 subjects) and Gross Motor Function Classification System IV and V groups (17 subjects). [Results] Lethargy and stereotypy scores significantly differed between the groups, proving that patients with Gross Motor Function Classification System levels IV and V have more severe problematic behaviors. [Conclusion] In this study, only five types of problematic behaviors, namely irritability, lethargy, stereotypy, hyperactivity, and inappropriate speech, were examined. Despite this limitation, the study clarifies that problematic behaviors of children with cerebral palsy, except lethargy and stereotypy, have little relationship with their motor abilities.

Comparative gait analysis between children with autism and age-matched controls: analysis with temporal-spatial and foot pressure variables

“…Some of the current literature reports provided contradictory results, which might be related to the difficulty of collecting data from participants with autism, especially when they were required to perform in an unfamiliar testing environment such as a laboratory 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ) . If participants have to change their clothes and reflective markers need to be attached to them, as required by some motion capture systems, the participants’ maladjustment and anxiety can lead to problematic behavior 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ) . To overcome these problems, a portable gait analysis system can be advantageous as it can be transported to locations that are considered “familiar environment” by the participants.…”