GMFCS for Children with CP Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is the purpose of the GMFCS?

To classify children with CP based on motor function

To enhance communication among families and professionals

To provide a sound basis for stratification in research

All of the above (correct)

What is the intended age for the GMFCS?

2 - 18 years old

What does the GMFCS test?

Cognitive abilities

Five levels of gross motor function (correct)

Vision and hearing skills

Fine motor skills

Which of the following is the description for Level V in the GMFCS?

Transported in a manual wheelchair Signup and view all the answers

Give an example of Level I for ages 6-12.

Children walk at home, school, outdoors, and in the community, can climb stairs without a railing, and can perform gross motor skills such as running and jumping with some limitations. Signup and view all the answers

Give an example of Level II for ages 6-12.

Children walk in most settings, climb stairs holding onto a railing, and may experience difficulty balancing or walking long distances. Signup and view all the answers

Give an example of Level III for ages 6-12.

Children walk using a handheld mobility device in most indoor settings and may climb stairs with assistance. Signup and view all the answers

Give an example of Level IV for ages 6-12.

Children use methods of mobility that require assistance or powered mobility in most settings. Signup and view all the answers

Give an example of Level V for ages 6-12.

Children are transported in a manual wheelchair in all settings and have limited ability to maintain postures. Signup and view all the answers

Inter-observer reliability of the GMFCS is consistently poor between professionals and parents.

False Signup and view all the answers

What was the interrater reliability score for the GMFCS?

0.84 Signup and view all the answers

List one way GMFCS has been used in research.

Comparisons to other assessments, tools, or measures. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

GMFCS Overview

Purpose: Classifies children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) based on daily motor function performance.
Goals include enhancing communication among families and professionals, providing a basis for stratification in research, and complementing traditional classification methods.
Descriptive and predictive system with 5 levels representing meaningful differences in gross motor performance.

Intended Age

Applicable for children aged 2 to 18 years.

Assessment Details

Evaluates 5 levels of gross motor function, with Level I being the most able and Level V the most limited.
Focuses on movements including sitting, walking, and use of mobility devices.
Provides a clear description of motor function and insights into equipment needs.
Children over age 5 typically do not improve GMFCS levels; classification at age 6 usually indicates ongoing mobility device need.
Distinctions between levels are made based on functional limitations, need for assistive technology, wheelchair usage, and quality of movement.

GMFCS Levels Explained

Level I: No limitations in mobility, can walk and perform gross motor skills like running and jumping.
Level II: Walks with limitations; may need support or assistive devices for long distances or uneven terrain.
Level III: Requires a hand-held mobility device indoors; can self-propel over short distances.
Level IV: Limited self-mobility; may use powered mobility and require assistance in most settings.
Level V: Fully dependent, transported in a manual wheelchair, unable to maintain head and trunk posture.

Age-specific Examples (6-12 years)

Level I: Walks independently in all environments, can navigate stairs without assistance, gross motor skills are limited by speed and balance.
Level II: Walks with difficulty in certain environments, may require a railing for stairs, experiences challenges with long distances or balance.
Level III: Uses a hand-held mobility device for most indoor areas, needs assistance on stairs, may rely on wheeled mobility for traveling longer distances.
Level IV: Requires substantial assistance or powered mobility; may walk short distances with help but primarily uses a manual wheelchair or powered mobility outside the home.
Level V: Always transported in a manual wheelchair; significant limitations in controlling body posture and movement.

Reliability and Validity

Inter-observer reliability is high between parents and professionals, with a notable correlation of 0.91 between GMFM and GMFCS levels.
Predictive capability is strong, correlating GMFCS classification at early ages with future classifications.
Interrater reliability reported at 0.84; moderate correlation with motor development tests but less so with non-motor development measures.

Research Utilization

Used for comparative studies with other assessments.
Involves reclassification needs and the frequency of necessary re-evaluations.
Studies aim to further distinguish between different GMFCS levels.

Description

Explore the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) through this engaging set of flashcards. Understand its purpose in classifying children with cerebral palsy based on their motor functions, enhancing communication within families and professionals, and supporting research stratification. Ideal for those studying pediatric motor development.