Objectives: This study aimed to detect the relationship between body mass index (BMI), selective voluntary motor control (SVMC), and functional independence in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy (CP) with levels II and III of gross motor function classification system (GMFCS).
Methods: Eighty-four children with spastic diplegic CP, aged 6-9 years with a mean age of 7.09±0.68 years participated in this correlational study. BMI, selective control assessment of the lower extremity (SCALE) and pediatric functional independence measure (WEE FIM) were used for the assessment of BMI, SVMC, and functional independence, respectively.
Results: There was a positive strong significant correlation between SCALE and WEE FIM. On the other hand, there was a negative strong significant correlation between WEE FIM and BMI. In addition, there was a negative moderate significant correlation between BMI and SCALE.
Discussion: Functional independence is significantly correlated with BMI and SVMC in children with spastic diplegic CP. This study provides original evidence that BMI and SVMC are major factors that influence functional independence in these children. Thus, they are highly recommended to be part of the evaluation of the functional independence of children with spastic diplegia in clinical and research settings.