Predicting Gross Motor Function Classification System Level From Patient-Reported Functional Abilities

摘要

The Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) is ubiquitous in cerebral palsy (CP) clinical practice and research. The classification is compact, requiring only five cartoons and short descriptions [1]. Traditionally, the GMFCS level is assigned by a health-care provider, though the extended and revised (E&R) version allows for parent rating. The GMFCS has "a particular emphasis on sitting, walking. and wheeled mobility". We were interested in finding out how the GMFCS was related to a more comprehensive interpretation of "function", such as the patient/parent-reported Gillette Functional Assessment Questionnaire (FAQ) [2].