DISCUSSION
This is, to our knowledge, the first study of postural asymmetries
in a total population of adults with CP.
Postural asymmetries were present in adults at all
GMFCS level, but more frequent at lower levels of motor
function and varied in different positions. Normally a
standing position requires more postural ability, and those
at GMFCS level I to III demonstrated more asymmetries
in standing compared to sitting and supine lying. However
the reverse was seen at GMFCS level V with a higher proportion
of postural asymmetries in supine and sitting compared
to supported standing, indicating a lack of postural
support while lying and sitting.
The time spent in different positions may have a great
impact on the development of contractures and deformities.
In this study no one who used standing support
stood more than 1 to 2 hours per day. This implies that
22 to 24 out of the 24 hours per day were spent in a
more asymmetric position in sitting or lying for those at
GMFCS level V. In addition they could not change their
position while lying or sitting. Of those who were unable
to change position in lying half had only one lying position,
indicating that they were not assisted in changing
position. Porter et al.4,8 showed that preferred lying postures
influence the direction of deformity with windsweeping,
hip dislocation, and spinal curve in children
with CP unable to move out of their preferred posture. A
study by Pountney et al.15 on posture management to
prevent hip dislocation supports the importance of maintaining
symmetry without compromising function for
those unable to change position. This highlights the need
for a proper assessment of posture, and provision of postural
support when needed, to prevent a sustained asymmetric
posture.
Pain was reported by 63 of the 102 participants but no
significant association between posture and pain was found
in this study. There was less reported pain compared to
previous studies of adults with CP by Jahnsen et al.11
(82%) and Andersson and Mattsson12 (79%). It may be
due to the older age of participants in their studies (mean
age 34y and 36y respectively). Another reason could be
that pain may be unrecognized in some of the participants
in the present study, as people with severe intellectual and
communication disabilities were included.
Limited hip and knee extension were highly associated
with postural asymmetries. Andersson and Mattson12
reported contractures in 80% of 221 adults with CP; knee
contractures were most frequent. In the present study knee
contractures were also most common; 60 of the 102 adults
with CP could not passively extend one or both knees to 0
degrees. Limited hip and knee extension were associated
with postural asymmetries in both supine and standing
positions which require extended legs.
Previous studies2–4 indicate that a sustained asymmetric
posture may cause progressive deformities in people with
CP. This study showed an association between posture and
limited ROM but did not reveal if the contractures were
caused by asymmetric posture or if the limited ROM
caused the postural asymmetries. However, this illustrates
the importance of continuous monitoring of ROM and
posture in people with CP, to allow early identification
DISCUSSIONThis is, to our knowledge, the first study of postural asymmetriesin a total population of adults with CP.Postural asymmetries were present in adults at allGMFCS level, but more frequent at lower levels of motorfunction and varied in different positions. Normally astanding position requires more postural ability, and thoseat GMFCS level I to III demonstrated more asymmetriesin standing compared to sitting and supine lying. Howeverthe reverse was seen at GMFCS level V with a higher proportionof postural asymmetries in supine and sitting comparedto supported standing, indicating a lack of posturalsupport while lying and sitting.The time spent in different positions may have a greatimpact on the development of contractures and deformities.In this study no one who used standing supportstood more than 1 to 2 hours per day. This implies that22 to 24 out of the 24 hours per day were spent in amore asymmetric position in sitting or lying for those atGMFCS level V. In addition they could not change theirposition while lying or sitting. Of those who were unableto change position in lying half had only one lying position,indicating that they were not assisted in changingposition. Porter et al.4,8 showed that preferred lying posturesinfluence the direction of deformity with windsweeping,hip dislocation, and spinal curve in childrenwith CP unable to move out of their preferred posture. Astudy by Pountney et al.15 on posture management toprevent hip dislocation supports the importance of maintainingsymmetry without compromising function forthose unable to change position. This highlights the needfor a proper assessment of posture, and provision of posturalsupport when needed, to prevent a sustained asymmetricposture.Pain was reported by 63 of the 102 participants but nosignificant association between posture and pain was foundin this study. There was less reported pain compared toprevious studies of adults with CP by Jahnsen et al.11(82%) and Andersson and Mattsson12 (79%). It may bedue to the older age of participants in their studies (meanage 34y and 36y respectively). Another reason could bethat pain may be unrecognized in some of the participantsin the present study, as people with severe intellectual andcommunication disabilities were included.Limited hip and knee extension were highly associatedwith postural asymmetries. Andersson and Mattson12reported contractures in 80% of 221 adults with CP; kneecontractures were most frequent. In the present study kneecontractures were also most common; 60 of the 102 adultswith CP could not passively extend one or both knees to 0degrees. Limited hip and knee extension were associatedwith postural asymmetries in both supine and standingpositions which require extended legs.Previous studies2–4 indicate that a sustained asymmetricposture may cause progressive deformities in people withCP. This study showed an association between posture andlimited ROM but did not reveal if the contractures werecaused by asymmetric posture or if the limited ROMcaused the postural asymmetries. However, this illustratesthe importance of continuous monitoring of ROM andposture in people with CP, to allow early identification
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