The Effect of Foot-Ankle Condition on Physical Performance in Cerebral Palsy with Spastic Equinus Deformity
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The severity of foot disability in children with cerebral palsy (CP) should be examined with both objective and subjective assessment tools. This cross-sectional study investigated the effect of foot-ankle function on physical performance in CP with spastic equinus deformity. METHODS: A cross-sectional prospective study was performed on 61 children with CP. Participants were evaluated by the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), Oxford Ankle Foot Questionnaire for Children (OxAFQ-C), Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), single-leg stance test (SLST), 3-Meter Backward Walk Test (3MBWT), and Functional Reach Test. RESULTS: The mean ± SD age of the children with CP (28 girls and 33 boys) included in the study was 11.3 ± 4.4 years. Individuals with higher foot-ankle function had better TUG, 3MBWT, and SLST performances (P < .005). The OxAFQ-C physical scale was moderately correlated with TUG (r = -0.474) and SLST (right extremity-eyes open) (r = 0.386) (P < .01). In addition, there was a low significant correlation between 3MBWT, SLST (right extremity-eyes closed), SLST (left extremity-eyes open), and SLST (left extremity-eyes closed) with the OxAFQ-C physical scale (P < .05). The OxAFQ-C school and play scale had a moderate-to-weak correlation coefficient (r = 0.257-0.439) with all of the physical performance tests (P < .05). In addition, there were moderate and low correlations of the OxAFQ-C emotional scale with TUG (r = -0.495) and 3MBWT (r = -0.298). CONCLUSIONS: These results show that foot-ankle performance influenced physical performance in time-based physical tasks but not in better performance-based physical conditions. It was concluded that foot-ankle condition was most strongly associated with sit-to-stand and walking performance.
DOI: 10.7547/23-088
Institution: Muğla University
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4407957164