Abstract

MOURA, Tânia Cristina de et al. Functional independence of individuals with cerebral palsy associated with intellectual disability . Rev Pan-Amaz Saude [online]. 2012, vol.3, n.1, pp.25-32. ISSN 2176-6215.  http://dx.doi.org/10.5123/S2176-62232012000100004.

INTRODUCTION: Intellectual impairment is common in individuals with cerebral palsy (CP), and it can interfere with the acquisition of functional independence. OBJECTIVE: To describe the levels of functional independence in individuals with CP associated with intellectual disability (ID). METHODS: The Functional Independence Measure (FIM) was administered by caretakers of CP and DI patients, and the scores were associated with the level in the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), type of movement, age, gender, presence of epilepsy, parents' schooling, use of medication, per capita income, and access to government financial aid. The statistical analysis was performed by use of the comparison tests Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis for two and three variables, respectively. The Spearman correlation coefficient was estimated for quantitative variables. RESULTS: A total of 21 CP and ID patients between 6 and 24 years of age were assessed. The highest GMFCS level was positively correlated with the following FIM areas: self-care, mobility, and locomotion; age was positively correlated with self-care, mobility, communication, and cognition. There was a correlation between parents' higher educational background and lower independence scores in the self-care and cognition areas. CONCLUSION: The individuals with CP associated with ID were considered dependent in 61% of the FIM areas. The highest levels of independence were observed in the areas of eating, sphincter control, and transfers. Their age, their parents' schooling, and especially their GMFCS level were the variables most related to independence.

Keywords : Cerebral Palsy; Intellectual Disability; Activities of Daily Living; Quality of Life.

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