Utility of Function Classification System in Children with Cerebral Palsy

The purpose of this study was to investigate the utility of function classification system in children with cerebral palsy (CP). For this, relationship among the Manual Ability Classification System (MACS), the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), and the functional status (WeeFIM) in children with cerebral palsy form September 2008 to August 2010. The participants was 217 children with CP in this study. The 217 children were evaluated by using the MACS for their hand function and by using the GMFCS for their motor function. The functional status were assessed by using the Functional Independence Measure of Children (WeeFIM). The GMFCS have a significant correlation with total score and domains of WeeFIM (p<.05) There were a significant correlation with total score and domains of WeeFIM (p<.05) except no significancy with communication domain in dyskinesia type. The highest number of participants were in level 1 (20.3) and level 5 (40.6%) for GMFCS. For MACS, the highest number of participants were level 2 (48.8%) and level 5 (16.6%). The function classification of GMFCS and MACS in practice will provide usefulness for assessment of function in children with CP.