About Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy (CP) refers to a group of disorders in the development of motor control and posture, occurring as a result of a non-progressive impairment of the developing central nervous system.  The motor disorders of cerebral palsy can be accompanied by disturbances of sensation, cognition, communication, perception, and/or seizure disorder.

It has long been recognized that motor outcome in CP is roughly related to "severity", but the systems used to measure progress and to judge severity were poorly developed, unstandardized, and not known to be reliable. Recognizing a need for information about the etiology, treatment, and natural history of CP, a group of researchers at CanChild have dedicated several decades of research to advancing knowledge in this field.

Cerebral Palsy: Current Studies

Focus on Function
Knowledge Broker (KB) Study
Move & Play Study

Cerebral Palsy: Completed Studies

ASQME Study
Development and Validation of the GMPM
Development of the GMFCS
Family-Centred Functional Therapy
Life Quality in Children with Cerebral Palsy
Lower Extremity Splinting for Children with CP
Neurodevelopmental Therapy and Casting
Ontario Motor Growth Study (OMG) Study

Cerebral Palsy: Project Reports

Ontario Motor Growth Study: Project Report

Cerebral Palsy: Research Summaries

GMFCS: Reliability of Parent Report
Language Characteristics of Children and Youth with Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy: Using the Evidence

Alternative Treatment for Children: Controversies
Alternative Treatments: Thoughts from the Trenches
An Update on Contraint Therapy in Children with Hemiplegia
Casts, Splints, and Orthoses for Lower Extremity
Casts, Splints, and Orthoses for Upper Extremity
Child Attributes: Effect on Intervention Decisions
Enhancing Adaptive Function of Children with CP
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Hot or Not?
Impact on the Environment on Children with CP
Use of Botox in Children with Muscle Stiffness
Use of the GMFCS to Optimize Rehab Management

Cerebral Palsy: Measures & Classification Systems

GMFCS Family Report Questionnaire
GMFM-66 Gross Motor Ability Estimator
Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS)
Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM)
Gross Motor Performance Measure/Quality FM
Manual Ability Classification System (MACS)
Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test (QUEST)
Percentiles for GMFM-66
Spinal Alignment and Range of Motion Measure (SAROMM)

 

Cerebral Palsy: Articles & Resources

2009

International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO) Consensus Report

Gorter JW, Ketelaar M, Rosenbaum P, Helders PJM, Palisano R (2009). Use of the Gross Motor Function Classification System in infants with cerebral palsy: the need for reclassification at age 2 or older. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 51(1):46-52.

Hanna S, Rosenbaum P, Bartlett DJ, Palisano RJ, Walter SD, Avery L, Russell DJ. Stability and decline in gross motor function among children and youth with cerebral palsy aged 2 to 21 years. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 3 Feb 2009 [E-pub ahead of print]. DOI:10.1111/j. 1469-8749.2008.03196x:1-8.

Plasschaert VFP, Ketelaar M, Nijnuis MG, Enkelaar L, Gorter JW. Classification of manual abilities in children with cerebral palsy under 5 years of age: how reliable is the Manual Ability Classification System. Clinical Rehabilitation, 2009; 23:164-170.

2008

Enkelaar L, Ketelaar M, Gorter JW (2008). Association between motor and mental functioning in toddlers with Cerebral Palsy. Developmental Neurorehabilitation, 11(4):276-282.

Haastert IC van, Vries LS de, Eijsermans R, Jongmans MJ, Helders PJM, Gorter JW (2008). Gross motor functional abilities in preterm born children with cerebral palsy due to periventricular leukomalacia. Developmental Medical & Child Neurology, 50(9):684-689

Hanna SE, Bartlett DJ, Rivard L, Russell DJ (2008). Reference curves for the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-66): Percentiles for clinical description and tracking over time among children with Cerebral Palsy. Physical Therapy, 88(5):596-607.

Harvey A, Robin, J, Morris ME, Graham HK, Baker R (2008). A systematic review of activity limitation measures of children with cerebral palsy. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 50(3):190-198. 

Ketelaar M, Volman MJM, Gorter JW, Vermeer A (2008). Stress in parents of children with cerebral palsy: what sources of stress are we talking about? Child: Care, Health and Development; 34(6)825-829.

Livingston MH, Rosenbaum PL (2008). Adolescents with cerebral palsy: stability in quality of life and health-related quality of life over one year.  Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 50(9):696-701.

Majnemer A, Shevell M, Law M, Poulin C, Rosenbaum P (2008). Reliability in the ratings of quality of life between parents and their children of school age with cerebral palsy. Quality of Life Research, 17(9):1163-71.

Palisano RJ, Rosenbaum P, Bartlett D, Livingston MH (2008). Content Validity of the Expanded and Revised Gross Motor Function Classification System. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 50(10):744-750.

Rentinck I, Ketelaar M, Jongmans M, Lindeman E, Gorter JW (2008). Parental Reactions Following the Diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy in Their Young Child. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, Advance Access, 1-6 

Rosenbaum PL, Palisano RJ, Bartlett DJ, Galuppi BE, Russell DJ (2008). Development of the Gross Motor Function Classification System for Cerebral Palsy. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 50(4), 249-253.

Shevell MI, Majnemer A, Poulin C, Law, M (2008). Stability of Motor Impairment in Children with Cerebral Palsy. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 50(3), 214-215.

Shikako-Thomas K, Majnemer A, Law M, Lach L (2008). Determinants of participation in leisure activities in children and youth with cerebral palsy: A systematic review. Physical and Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics, 28(2):155-170.

Thompson P, Beath T, Bell J, Jacobson G, Phair T, Salbach NM, Wright FV (2008). Test-retest reliability of the 10-metre fast walk test and 6-minute walk test in ambulatory school-aged children with cerebral palsy. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 50:370-376.

Verschuren O, Ketelaar M, Takken T, Helders PJ, Gorter JW (2008). Exercise Programs for Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review of the Literature. American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, 87(5):404-17.

Verschuren O, Ketelaar M, Takken T, Helders PJM, Gorter JW. Reliability of hand-held dynamometry and functional strength tests for the lower extremity in children with Cerebral Palsy. Disability & Rehabilitation. Disabil Rehabil. 2008;30(18):1358-1366. 

2007

Eliasson, A. C., KrumlindeSundholm, L., Rosblad, B., Beckung, E., Arner, M., Ohrvall, A. M., Rosenbaum, P. (2007). Using the MACS to facilitate communication about manual abilities of children with cerebral palsy... dev med child neurol. 2006 dec;48(12):948. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 49(2), 156-157.

Livingston, M. H., Rosenbaum, P. L., Russell, D. J., & Palisano, R. J. (2007). Quality of life among adolescents with cerebral palsy: What does the literature tell us? Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 49(3), 225-231.

Majnemer, A., Shevell, M., Rosenbaum, P., Law, M., & Poulin, C. (2007). Determinants of life quality in school-age children with cerebral palsy. Journal of Pediatrics, 151(5), 470-5, 475.e1-3.

McCormick, A., Brien, M., Plourde, J., Wood, E., Rosenbaum, P., & McLean, J. (2007). Stability of the gross motor function classification system in adults with cerebral palsy. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 49(4), 265-269.

Palisano, R. J., Copeland, W. P., & Galuppi, B. E. (2007). Performance of physical activities by adolescents with cerebral palsy. Physical Therapy, 87(1), 77-87.

Rosenbaum, P. (2007). The natural history of gross motor development in children with cerebral palsy aged 1 to 15 years. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 49(10), 724.

Rosenbaum, P., Paneth, N., Leviton, A., Goldstein, M., & Bax, M. (2007). A report: The definition and classification of cerebral palsy april 2006. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 49(2), 8-14.

Rosenbaum, P. L., Livingston, M. H., Palisano, R. J., Galuppi, B. E., & Russell, D. J. (2007). Quality of life and health-related quality of life of adolescents with cerebral palsy. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 49(7), 516-521.

Tieman, B., Palisano, R. J., Gracely, E. J., & Rosenbaum, P. L. (2007). Variability in mobility of children with cerebral palsy. Pediatric Physical Therapy, 19(3), 180-187.

Young, N. L., Gilbert, T. K., McCormick, A., AylingCampos, A., Boydell, K., Law, M., et al. (2007). Youth and young adults with cerebral palsy: Their use of physician and hospital services. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 88(6), 696-702.

2006

Eliasson, A., KrumlindeSundholm, L., Rosblad, B., Beckung, E., Arner, M., Ohrvall, A., Rosenbaum, P. (2006). The manual ability classification system (MACS) for children with cerebral palsy: Scale development and evidence of validity and reliability. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 48(7), 549-554.

Hall, N., Goyette, A., Majnemer, A., Shevell, M., Law, M., Rosenbaum, P. L., et al. (2006). Assessment of behavioural and emotional problems in school-age children with cerebral palsy. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 48(Supplement 106), 28-29.

Jahnsen, R., Aamodt, G., & Rosenbaum, P. (2006). Gross motor function classification system used in adults with cerebral palsy: Agreement of self-reported versus professional rating. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 48(9), 734-738.

Majnemer, A., Shevell, M., Law, M., Rosenbaum, P., & Poulin, C. (2006). Assessment of participation and enjoyment in leisure and recreational activities in school-aged children with cerebral palsy. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 48(Supplement 106), 19-20.

Maltais, D. B., BarOr, O., Russell, D. J., & Gorter, J. W. (2006). Assessing functional differences in gross motor skills in children with cerebral palsy who use an ambulatory aid or orthoses: Can the GMFM-88 help? Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 48(2), 158; author rey 158-9.

Morris, C., Kurinczuk, J. J., Fitzpatrick, R., & Rosenbaum, P. L. (2006). Do the abilities of children with cerebral palsy explain their activities and participation? Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 48(12), 954-961.

Morris, C., Kurinczuk, J. J., Fitzpatrick, R., & Rosenbaum, P. L. (2006). Reliability of the manual ability classification system for children with cerebral palsy. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 48(12), 950-953.

Morris, C., Kurinczuk, J. J., Fitzpatrick, R., & Rosenbaum, P. L. (2006). Who best to make the assessment? professionals' and families' classifications of gross motor function in cerebral palsy are highly consistent. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 91(8), 675-679.

Morris, C., Rosenbaum, P. L., Kurinczuk, J. J., & Fitzpatrick, R. (2006). Family assessment of the activities and participation of children with cerebral palsy. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 48(Supplement 106), 19.

Palisano, R. J., Cameron, D., Rosenbaum, P. L., Walter, S. D., & Russell, D. (2006). Stability of the gross motor function classification system. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 48(6), 424-428.

Palisano, R. J., Copeland, W. P., & Galuppi, B. (2006). Performance of physical activities by adolescents with cerebral palsy. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 48(Supplement 106), 21.

Rosenbaum, P. (2006). The definition and classification of cerebral palsy: Are we any further ahead in 2006? NeoReviews, 7(11), e569-574.

Stevenson, R. D., Conaway, M., Chumlea, W. C., Rosenbaum, P., Fung, E. B., Henderson, R. C., et al. (2006). Growth and health in children with moderate-to-severe cerebral palsy. Pediatrics, 118(3), 1010-1018.

Wright, F.,Virginia, & Jutai, J.,W.  (2006) Evaluation of the longer-term use of the david hart walker orthosis by children with cerebral palsy: A 3-year prospective evaluation. Disability and Rehabilitation - Assistive Technology, 1(3), 155-166.

Wright, F. V., Rosenbaum, P. L., & Fehlings, D. L. (2006). How do changes in impairment, activity, and participation relate to each other? study of a group of children with cerebral palsy who have received lower extremity botulinum toxin type A injections. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 48(Supplement 106), 46.

Wright, F. V., Rosenbaum, P. L., & Law, M. (2006). Mothers' perspectives on the outcomes associated with botulinum toxin type A injections for young ambulatory children with cerebral palsy. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 48(Supplement 106), 11-12. 

2005

Russell, D., Gorter, J., (2005). Assessing functional differences in gross motor skills in children with cerebral palsy who use an ambulatory aid or orthoses: Can the GMFM-88 help? Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology. 47, 462-467

2004

Frequency and determinants of formal respite service use among caregivers of children with cerebral palsy 
Participation of children with physical disabilities: Relationships with diagnosis, physical function, and demographic variables
The health of primary caregivers of children with cerebral palsy: How does it compare with that of other Canadian caregivers?

2003

Cerebral palsy: what parents and doctors want to know 

2002

Health status of school-aged children with cerebral palsy: Information from a population-based sample
Prognosis for Gross Motor Function in Cerebral Palsy. Creation of Motor Development Curves
The effectiveness of casts, orthoses, and splints for children with neurological disorders 

2000


A model of determinants of motor change in children with cerebral palsy
Improved scaling of the Gross Motor Function Measure for children with cerebral palsy: Evidence of reliability and validity
Success in life for older adolescents with cerebral palsy
The Gross Motor Function Classification System for cerebral palsy: A study of reliability and stability over time
Validation of a model of motor development for children with cerebral palsy