Work

Relationship Between Postural Control, Quality of Upper Limb Skills, and Functional Independence in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Cross-Sectional Study

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: AIM: To evaluate the relationship between postural control, quality of upper limb skills, and functional independence in children with cerebral palsy (CP). METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 36 children (aged 3-8 years; GMFCS I-V and MACS I-V) with CP. Postural control was assessed using the Early Clinical Assessment of Balance (ECAB), upper limb (UL) skills by Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test (QUEST), and functional independence through Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory-Computer Adaptive Test (PEDI-CAT, DA domain). Spearman's correlation and multiple linear regression were used for analysis (α = 0.05). RESULTS: < 0.001). Regression models explained 69.3% of the variance in PEDI-CAT and 73.6% in QUEST scores. Multiple linear regression was significant only for the MACS to predict the functional independence (PEDI-CAT) and upper limb skills (QUEST). CONCLUSION: Postural control significantly correlates with both the UL skills and functional independence in children with CP.

Source: Physical & Occupational Therapy In Pediatrics

DOI: 10.1080/01942638.2026.2614584

Authors: Shruti Krishna, Amitesh Narayan, Shreekanth D. Karnad, Mohammed Alsulaimani

Institutions: Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, King Fahd Armed Forces Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Cerebral Palsy and Movement Disorders

Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Funder: American Physical Therapy Association