A comparison of functioning,activity, and participation in school-aged children with cerebral palsy using the manual ability classification system

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to evaluate the functioning, extent of activity,and participation of school-aged children with cerebral palsy (CP) using the ManualAbility Classification System (MACS). [Subjects and Methods] The Subjects were 57school-aged children (7–12 years old) with CP. The MACS, Gross Motor Function Measure(GMFM), International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health for Childrenand Youth (ICF-CY) Checklist, and a questionnaire were used to measure children’sfunctioning, activity, and participation. [Results] GMFM scores differed significantlyacross the MACS levels. The following differed significantly according to MACS level whenassessed with the ICF-CY function section: mental functions; sensory function and pain;voice and speech functions; functions of the digestive, metabolic, and endocrine systems;genitourinary and reproductive function; and neuromusculoskeletal and movement relatedfunction. The data from the activities and participation section of the ICF-CY also showedstatistically significant differences across MACS levels. [Conclusion] These resultssuggest that the functioning, activity, and participation of school-aged children with CPdepend on their MACS level and that the functioning of children with CP affects theiractivities and participation.Key words: Cerebral palsy, Manual Ability Classification System, ICF-CY