Cerebral palsy (CP) is a major cause of dependency in activity of daily living (ADL) in children. Effort at improving their functional performances has being the target of rehabilitation but the determinants remain elusive. This study determined the pattern of motor function and ADL performances in children with CP. It also investigated the relationship between motor function and ADL living performance and their determinants in the children.This cross-sectional analytical survey involved 104 children with CP in various hospitals in Lagos state. Their motor function was assessed using Gross Motor Function Measure-66 (GMFM-66) and ADL was assessed using Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory- Computer Adaptive Test (PEDI-CAT).Thirteen (12.5%) were on level II level (limitations of walking long distances and balancing) of the GMFM-66, 14.4% in level III (uses hand-held mobility device), 21.2% in level IV (requires manual/powered mobility device) and 51.9% in level V (severe limitations in head and trunk control and requires extensive assistive device). The GMFM-66 score was explained by 56.3%, 62.8%, 49.1% and 32.0% of the variance of PEDI-CAT daily activity, mobility, social/cognitive and responsibility domain-scores respectively. There is strong relationship (p<0.01) between mobility domain-score and ADL performance, and weak relationship (p=0.033) between social/cognitive domain-score and ADL performance. Most children with cerebral palsy are highly dependent in activity of daily living are requires aids for functional performances. Independent daily activity living in children with cerebral palsy is relationship to their mobility performances and social/cognitive function.
Keywords: Cerebral palsy, functional independent performance, motor function
