| Objective: To investigate if Carroll upper extremities functional test (UEFT) is a better rating scales for evaluating fine motor function in children with cerebral palsy. Methods: Seventy-five children with non-hemiplegic palsy and 29 children with hemiplegic palsy were evaluated by the Carroll UEFT, the Gesell developmental scale and the PMDS-2. The scores of Carroll UEFT were compared respectively with the developmental age (DA) and developmental quotient (DQ) of Gesell developmental scale in fine motor domain and the PDMS-2 scores in fine motor domains by the SPSS 16.0 statistical software, and their correlation coefficients (r) were evaluated. At the same time, in children with hemiplegic palsy, the UEFT scores of the affected limb were compared with those of the health limb. Results: In the non-hemiplegic palsy group (n=75), the correlations of the Carroll UEFT scores with the DA and DQ of Gesell developmental scale in fine motor domain were analyzed respectively with the correlation coefficients being 0.828 and 0.462 respectively (P<0.01). The correlation coefficients of the UEFT scores with the PDMS-2 grasping raw scores, standard grasping scores, vision-integration raw, vision-integration standard scores, and FMQ were 0.717, 0.477, 0.689, 0.378, and 0.503 respectively (P<0.01). In the hemiplegic palsy group (n=29), the correlation coefficients of the UEFT scores at healthy side with the DA of Gesell developmental scale in fine motor domain, the PDMS-2 grasping raw scores, and vision-integration raw scores were 0.722, 0.713, and 0.778 respectively (P<0.01). And the correlation coefficients of the UEFT scores at the affected side with the DA of Gesell developmental scale in fine motor domain, the PDMS-2 grasping raw scores, and vision-integration raw scores were 0.591, 0.633 and 0.713 respectively (P<0.01). Compared the UEFT scores of healthy side with the affected side, the difference was significant (Z=-4.708, P<0.01). Conclusion: The Carroll UEFT scores were highly correlated with the DA of Gesell developmental scale in fine motor domain, the PDMS-2 grasping raw scores and vision-integration raw scores, but not with the DQ of Gesell developmental scale in fine motor domain. The correlations of the FMQ with the Carroll UEFT scores at affected side and at healthy side were both poor. This study explains Carroll UEFT, the Gesell developmental scale and the PMDS-2 could be used clinically in rehabilitation assessment of fine motor function in children with cerebral palsy. But in children with hemiplegic palsy, the Carroll UEFT was more effective in evaluating fine motor function, formulating rehabilitation plan and setting rehabilitation goals. |
