Fysioterapeuten (Feb 2022)
High-level mobility in children and youth with chronic acquired brain injury: a case-control study
Abstract
Purpose: Analyze if high-level mobility in a sample of children and youth with chronic acquired brain injury is different compared to typically developing children and youth. Analyze if high-level mobility in the patient group correlates with 1) physical capacity and 2) participation. Design: Case-control study. Material: 10 patients with acquired brain injury, median age 9.3 years (5.9-16.6), were compared to 33 typically developing controls matched for age and sex. Method: High-level mobility in the patient- and control group was assessed with the High-level Mobility Assessment Tool (HiMAT). Physical capacity and self-reported participation in the patient group was assessed using the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) and the Assessment of Life Habits for Children (LIFE-H 5-13). Results: The patient group scored significantly lower and more variable, independent from age on the HiMAT (p<0.01), compared to the control group. There was a strong positive correlation between high-level mobility and 1) physical capacity (rs=0.94, p<0.01) and 2) self-reported participation (rs=0.95, p<0.01). Conclusion: A sample of ambulating children and youth with chronic acquired brain injury were limited in high-level mobility compared to typically developing children and youth. Patients with impaired high-level mobility had lower physical capacity and struggled with participation.
