Relationships between respiratory muscle strength and daily living function in children with cerebral palsy

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a common childhood disorder characterized by motor disability. Children with CP are at risk of developing significant respiratory problems associated with insufficient respiratory muscle strength. It is crucial to identify important factors which are associated with the limitations in daily living function in such children. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between respiratory muscle strength and daily living function in children with CP. The participants were 30 children with CP (M ± SD age, 8.7 ± 2.1 years) and 30 children with typical development (M ± SD age, 8.3 ± 0.9 years). Respiratory muscle strength was measured by maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) for the both groups of children. Children with CP were also assessed on daily living function with the subscales of Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI), the Functional Skills Scales (PEDI-FSS) and the Caregiver Assistance Scale (PEDI-CAS). Results show that, compared to the children with typical development, the MIP and MEP in the CP group were significantly lower (p = .003 and p = .001, respectively). In the CP group, MIP and MEP were correlated to two of the three PEDI-FSS domain scores (r = .43–.53, p < .05) but not with the three PEDI-CAS domain scores. MET explained 19% of the variance in the self-care domain score of PEDI-FSS. MEP also explained 15% of the variance in the social domain score of PEDI-FSS. The results of this study demonstrate that respiratory muscle strength in children with CP is correlated positively to their capability levels of daily living self-care and social function, and we suggest this should be taken into account when planning intervention to improving ability of daily living function for children with CP.

► Respiratory muscle strength in CP children is weaker than that in typical children.
► Respiratory muscle strength in CP children correlates to their daily living function.
► Capability and performance of daily living function should be examined respectively.