FEATURES OF INDICATORS OF MOTOR FUNCTIONS IN CHILDREN OF PRIMARY SCHOOL AGE WITH SPASTIC CEREBRAL PALSY

Abstract

Introduction. The scientific discourse around motor function in children with spastic cerebral palsy is a dynamically developing field, integrating data from neurology, biomechanics, rehabilitation and pedagogy to improve the quality of life of this category of patients. The purpose of the article is to study the indicators of motor functions of children aged 7–8 years withspastic forms of cerebral palsy (CP).Research methods: theoretical analysis and generalization of literary sources, pedagogical testing, methods of mathematical statistics.Results. It was found that children with spastic CP at level I according to the gross motor function classification system (GMFCS) demonstrate a moderate level of motor function development. Their performance on test tasks was on average 18% lower than the normative values, which indicates the presenceof motor deficit. It is important to note that the level of motor development is comparable in children with spastic diplegia and spastic hemiparesis, indicating similar difficulties within the studied forms of CP. Secondly, the best results were recorded in the tasks of Block B, assessing the content of the sitting position.Almost all children in both groups performed these tasks completely independently, which emphasizes the preserved basic motor functions necessary for maintaining postural stability in a sitting position. Thirdly, the greatest difficulties were observed in performing the tasks of Block E, requiring a high level of coordination, muscle strength and balance. Particularly problematic were tasks related to jumping, walking along a narrow line and ascending/descending stairs without support. These data confirm the insufficient development of complex dynamic skills and functional movements that are critical for the age norm. Fourth, no statistically significant differences in the overall level of motor development were found between the groups of children with spastic diplegia and spastic hemiparesis (p > 0.05). Minor differences in the performance of individual tasks can be explained by individual characteristics of physical development andthe specificity of the lesion. In particular, children with hemiparesis demonstrated better results in tasks requiring muscle strength and jumping skills, while children with diplegia showed advantages in performing tasks related to moving up and down stairs.Conclusions. The obtained data confirm that primary school children with spastic form of CP (GMFCS I) have a pronounced, although moderate, motor deficit, especially manifested in complex dynamic motoracts. Preserved basic postural functions create a basis for further development. The lack of overall statistically significant differences between diplegia and hemiparesis at this functional level indicates the importance of focusing rehabilitation on specific motor deficits, and not just on the clinical form of CP.