Comparisons of severity classification systems for oropharyngeal dysfunction in children with cerebral palsy: Relations with other functional profiles

Eating and Drinking Ability Classification System to detect aspiration risk in children with cerebral palsy: a validation study

This prospective study has two aims. The first aim is to assess the concurrent validity of the Eating and Drinking Ability Classification System (EDACS) as a means of identifying aspiration risk in children with cerebral palsy by using the Pediatric version of the Eating Assessment Tool (PEDI-EAT-10) as the reference test. The second aim is to investigate the relationship between the aspiration and non-aspiration groups using both the EDACS and the PEDI-EAT-10. Data were collected and analyzed from the EDACS and PEDI-EAT-10 using a convenience sample of 131 children with cerebral palsy and feeding problems (77 males, 54 females; median age 4.4 years [IQR 2.5 years]). Risk of aspiration was identified in 118 individuals using the PEDI-EAT-10 scores of ≥ 5 points. The EDACS proved to be a valid tool in identifying aspiration risk in children who are classified in EDACS levels III-V. There was a significant correlation between the EDACS and PEDI-EAT-10 (r_s = 0.597, p < 0.001). The EDACS had 78% (95% CI = 71-86%) sensitivity and 92% (95% CI = 88-97%) specificity in identifying aspiration risk a positive predictive value of 0.99, a negative predictive value of 0.32, a positive likelihood ratio of 9.75, and a negative likelihood ratio of 0.24.   Conclusion: The EDACS is a useful clinical tool to identify aspiration risk in children with cerebral palsy. Children in EDACS levels III to V are at risk of aspiration. As time permits, we recommend the use of both tools, the EDACS and the PEDI-EAT-10, when making decisions regarding referral for an instrumented swallowing study. What is Known: • Approximately 50% of children with cerebral palsy have dysphagia. • The Eating and Drinking Ability Classification System (EDACS) can be used to classify eating and drinking efficiency and safety in children with cerebral palsy. What is New: • Based on ROC analysis, EDACS demonstrates sensitivity of 78% and specificity of 92% in clinical identification of aspiration risk. • The combined use of the EDACS and the Pediatric version of the Eating Assessment Tool is recommended to make decisions about referral for an instrumented swallow study.

Psychometric properties of the Viking Speech Scale-Turkish version for children with cerebral palsy aged 4-18 years based on live and video-based observation

BACKGROUND

Speech is the most common method of communication. Video-based clinical communication evaluation is a requirement for children with speech-language impairments living in rural areas, and those who have limited mobility.

AIMS

To determine the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Viking Speech Scale (VSS-T) via live and video-based observation for children with cerebral palsy (CP) aged 4-18 years.

METHODS & PROCEDURES

A total of 142 children (mean age 8.18 ± 3.98 years; 68 female) with CP were included in this study. Their motor, communication, visual and eating-drinking function levels and comorbidities (dental, swallowing, cognitive impairments and epilepsy) were recorded. The Intelligibility in Context Scale (ICS), the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory-Social Function (PEDI-SF), and the Functional Independence Measure for Children-Communication (WeeFIM-C) were assessed to examine the concurrent validity of the VSS-T. The interrater reliability of the VSS-T was analysed between parents, physical therapists, and speech and language therapists from live and video-based observation. Intra-rater reliability was calculated from ratings made from live and video-based observations taken 3 weeks apart.

OUTCOMES & RESULTS

The VSS-T was strongly related to the ICS (r = -0.830), PEDI-SF (r = -0.819), WeeFIM-C (r = -0.643), other functional classifications (r > 0.432), and the comorbidities (Cramer's V > 0.284, p < 0.001). Good to excellent interrater reliability (κ_w ≥ 0.838) and intra-rater reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.848-0.995) were found between parents and therapists.

CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATIONS

Speech and language therapists, physical therapists, and parents can use the VSS-T as a valid and reliable classification system to describe speech intelligibility of 4-18-year-old children with CP. Both live and video-based observations can be used to administer the VSS-T.

WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS

What is already known on the subject The English version of the VSS has been shown to be a valid and reliable tool used to classify the speech of children with CP aged 4-13 years. The scale can be administered by means of live observation of the child or based on clinicians' notes on the case by parents, SLTs, physiotherapists and paediatricians. What this paper adds to existing knowledge The VSS-T is valid and reliable for children with CP aged 4-18 years. Video-based observation is a suitable method for evaluating the VSS-T levels. The VSS-T has a moderate association with the CFCS. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? The VSS-T is a valid and reliable method of categorizing the severity of motor speech impairment for Turkish children with CP in clinical research studies, registry systems or epidemiological studies. Both experienced and inexperienced therapists can use either live or video-based observation methods to administer the VSS-T. This study extended the validity and reliability of the scale in children with CP aged up to 18 years. The VSS-T is also associated with the Visual Functional Classification System (VFCS), which has been recently developed for describing the visual abilities of children with CP in daily life. In addition, the VSS-T is associated with the presence of dental, swallowing, cognitive problems and epilepsy.

Reliability and validity of the Dutch-language version of the Viking Speech Scale in children with cerebral palsy

PURPOSE

The Viking Speech Scale is used to classify speech performance in children with cerebral palsy (CP). A Dutch-language version (VSS-NL) has recently become available. This study aimed to determine the reliability and validity of the VSS-NL and the association with motor type of CP, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) and Communication Function Classification System (CFCS).

METHODS

A total of 90 children with CP, recruited throughout the Netherlands, took part in the study. VSS-NL classifications by speech and language therapists unfamiliar (SLT1) and familiar (SLT2) with the child, parents and physicians were compared. Convergent and discriminant validity were determined with the Intelligibility in Context Scale-Dutch (ICS-NL) and the Computer Based Instrument for Low Motor Language Testing (C-BiLLT). Inter- and intrarater reliability were determined by weighted Kappa (ƙ_w ). Validity and associations between VSS-NL and GMFCS, MACS and CFCS were determined with Spearman's coefficient. Association between VSS-NL and motor type of CP was determined with Fisher's exact test.

RESULTS

Interrater reliability was excellent between SLT1-SLT2 (ƙ_w  = 0.93, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.87-0.99), good between SLT1-parent (ƙ_w  = 0.71, 95% CI 0.60-0.83), SLT1-physician (ƙ_w  = 0.70, 95% CI 0.58-0.81), SLT2-parent (ƙ_w  = 0.71, 95% CI 0.57-0.84), SLT2-physician (ƙ_w  = 0.73, 95% CI 0.62-0.85) and parent-physician (ƙ = 0.72, 95% CI 0.60-0.85). Intrarater reliability was excellent for SLTs familiar and unfamiliar to the child (ƙ_w  = 1.00, 95% CI 1.00-1.00), and very good for physicians (ƙ_w  = 0.89, 95% CI 0.75-1.00) and parents (ƙ_w  = 0.72, 95% CI 0.62-1.00). Convergent validity was very strong (r = -0.81, p < 0.001) and discriminant validity moderate (r = -0.56, p < 0.001). Association with motor type of CP was significant (χ²  = 27.558, p < 0.001) and strong with GMFCS (r = 0.62, p < 0.001), MACS (r = 0.63, p < 0.01) and CFCS (r = 0.69, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The VSS-NL is a reliable and valid system to classify speech performance in children with cerebral palsy. Classifications can be performed by SLTs, parents and physicians.

A cross-sectional study determining the relationship between eating and drinking skills and functional independence levels of patients with cerebral palsy

Background/Aim: In cerebral palsy (CP), drinking/eating disorders are considered common. To evaluate these disorders, a very detailed and lengthy evaluation is required. Few tools are available to identify children who need to be evaluated. This study determined whether the functional independence level of children with CP is sufficient to predict their drinking/eating skills and to determine the relationship between this functional level and these skills. Methods: A total of 105 children with CP aged 4–8 years participated in a cross-sectional study in our outpatient clinic. Functional classification was assigned using the Gross Motor Function Classification System and Manuel Ability Classification System (GMFCS and MACS, respectively). For a functional assessment of daily life, the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) was performed by asking a relative of the child. The Eating and Drinking Abilities Classification System (EDACS) level was added to the study after asking the caregivers of the patients for eating/drinking evaluations. Results: According to the current results, we found a negative correlation between EDACS and PEDI scores. As the EDACS grade increased, the PEDI subscale and total scores decreased in a statistically significant manner (P < 0.001), while the GMFCS and MACS scale increased statistically (P < 0.001). As the PEDI subscale and total scores increased, the levels of GMFCS and MACS decreased statistically significantly (P < 0.001). Conclusions: The performances of children with CP in terms of activities of daily living are closely related to their performance in eating/drinking activities. If children are independent in their mobility, social functions, and daily self-care, they are also more independent in terms of eating/drinking.

Swallowing and Motor Speech Skills in Unilateral Cerebral Palsy: Novel Findings From a Preliminary Cross-Sectional Study

PURPOSE

Our purpose was to start examining clinical swallowing and motor speech skills of school-age children with unilateral cerebral palsy (UCP) compared to typically developing children (TDC), how these skills relate to each other, and whether they are predicted by clinical/demographic data (age, birth history, lesion type, etc.).

METHOD

Seventeen children with UCP and 17 TDC (7-12 years old) participated in this cross-sectional study. Feeding/swallowing skills were evaluated using the Dysphagia Disorder Survey (DDS) and a normalized measure of mealtime efficiency (normalized mealtime duration, i.e., nMD). Motor speech was assessed via speech intelligibility and speech rate measures using the Test of Children's Speech Plus. Analyses included nonparametric bootstrapping, correlation analysis, and multiple regression.

RESULTS

Children with UCP exhibited more severe (higher) DDS scores (p = .0096, Part 1; p = .0132, Part 2) and reduced speech rate than TDC (p = .0120). Furthermore, in children with UCP, total DDS scores were moderately negatively correlated with speech intelligibility (words: r = -.6162, p = .0086; sentences: r = -.60792, p = .0096). Expressive language scores were the only significant predictor of feeding and swallowing performance, and receptive language scores were the only significant predictor of motor speech skills.

CONCLUSIONS

Swallowing and motor speech skills can be affected in school-age children with UCP, with wide variability of performance also noted. Preliminary cross-system interactions between swallowing, speech, and language are observed and might support the complex relationships between these domains. Further understanding these relationships in this population could have prognostic and/or therapeutic value and warrants further study.

Longitudinal change in speech classification between 4 and 10 years in children with cerebral palsy

AIM

To examine speech impairment severity classification over time in a longitudinal cohort of children with cerebral palsy (CP).

METHOD

A total of 101 children (58 males, 43 females) between the ages of 4 and 10 years with CP participated in this longitudinal study. Speech severity was rated using the Viking Speech Scale (VSS), a four-level classification rating scale, at 4, 6, 8, and 10 years (age 4 years: mean = 52 months [3 SD]; age 6 years: mean = 75 months [2 SD]; age 8 years: mean = 100 months [4 SD]; age 10 years: mean = 125 months [5 SD]). We used Bayesian mixed-effects ordinal logistic regression to model (1) the extent to which speech severity changed over time and (2) patterns of change across age groups and classification rating group levels.

RESULTS

VSS ratings decreased (speech severity became less severe) between 4 and 10 years of age. Children who were first classified in VSS levels I, II, or III at age 4 years had a high probability of staying at, or improving to, VSS level I by 10 years. Children who were first classified in VSS level IV at 4 years had a high probability of remaining in VSS level IV at 10 years.

INTERPRETATION

Early speech performance is highly predictive of later childhood speech abilities. Children with any level of speech impairment at age 4 years should be receiving speech therapy. Those with more severe speech impairments should be introduced to augmentative and alternative communication as soon as possible.

WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS

Children with early Viking Speech Scale (VSS) ratings below level IV have a good prognosis for speech improvement. Children with early VSS level IV ratings are likely to remain at VSS level IV over time. Children did not show worsening of VSS level between the ages of 4 and 10 years.

Relationship among four functional classification systems and parent interpredicted intelligence level in children with different clinical types of cerebral palsy

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationships between four functional classification systems in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and parent-interpredicted intelligence level, and the functional status in clinical types of CP.

METHODS

Two hundred and twenty-five children with CP ages between 2 and 18 (mean age 6.5 ± 4.4) years included using the Surveillance of CP in Europe (SCPE) database in Turkey. Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), Manual Ability Classification System (MACS), Communication Function Classification System (CFCS) and Eating and Drinking Classification System (EDACS) levels were classified by clinical observation, and intelligence quotient (IQ) was determined by parent reports.

RESULTS

Correlations were found between all functional levels; the strongest were between GMFCS-MACS (r = 0.784, p < .001), CFCS-EDACS (r = 0.772, p < .001). Strong correlations were found for the IQ-CFCS (r = 0.762, p < .001) and IQ-EDACS (r = 0.634, p < .001). Correlations were stronger in children with bilateral CP and IQ level <70.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, these four classification systems and reported IQ levels can adequately describe overall functioning for children with CP. Our results can guide clinicians in the rehabilitation of children with CP.

Efficacy of axial TheraTogs on gait pattern in children with dyskinetic cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled trial

Background

TheraTogs promotes proprioceptive sense of a child with cerebral palsy and improves abnormal muscle tone, posture alignment, balance, and gait. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of TheraTogs orthotic undergarment on gait pattern in children with dyskinetic cerebral palsy. Thirty children with dyskinetic cerebral palsy were selected for this randomized controlled study. They were randomly assigned to (1) an experimental group that received TheraTogs orthotic undergarment (12 h/day, 3 days/week) plus traditional physical therapy for 3 successive months and (2) a control group that received only traditional physical therapy program for the same time period. Gait parameters were measured at baseline and after 3 months of intervention using Pro-Reflex motion analysis.

Results

Children in both groups showed significant improvements in the gait parameters (P < 0.05), with significantly greater improvements in the experimental group than in the control group.

Conclusions

The use of TheraTogs may have a positive effect to improve gait pattern in children with dyskinetic cerebral palsy.

Trial registration

This trial was registered in the ClinicalTrial.gov PRS (NCT03037697).

Communication disorders in young children with cerebral palsy

AIM

To test the prediction of communication disorder severity at 5 years of age from characteristics at 2 years for children with cerebral palsy (CP) whose communication is giving cause for concern.

METHOD

In this cohort study, 77 children (52 males; 25 females) with communication difficulties and CP were visited at home at 2 (mean 2y 4mo; SD 3mo) and 5 (mean 5y 5mo; SD 4mo) years of age. Information on the type and distribution of motor disorder, seizures, gross and fine motor function, hearing, and vision were collected from medical notes. Non-verbal cognition, language comprehension, language expression, spoken vocabulary, and methods of communication were assessed directly at age 2 years. At 5 years, communication and speech function were rated using the Communication Function Classification System (CFCS), Functional Communication Classification System (FCCS), and Viking Speech Scale (VSS).

RESULTS

In multivariable regression models, CP type, Gross Motor Function Classification System level, vision, the amount of speech understood by strangers, non-verbal cognition, and number of consonants produced at age 2 years predicted the CFCS level at age 5 years (R² =0.54). CP type, Manual Ability Classification System level, amount of speech understood, vision, and number of consonants predicted the FCCS level (R² =0.49). CP type, amount of speech understood by strangers, and number of consonants predicted the VSS level (R² =0.50).

INTERPRETATION

Characteristics at 2 years of age predict communication and speech performance at 5 years, and should inform referral to speech and language therapy.

Reliability and Validity of the Eating and Drinking Ability Classification System in Adults with Cerebral Palsy

The Eating and Drinking Ability Classification System (EDACS) was developed to evaluate dysphagia in children with cerebral palsy (CP). This study aimed to investigate the interrater reliability and validity of the EDACS in adults with CP. This cross-sectional study included 117 community-dwelling adults (mean age, 37.9 ± 12.5 years) with a confirmed CP diagnosis. A swallowing occupational therapist (SwOT) conducted detailed interviews with participants and/or caregivers to classify the EDACS. Another SwOT and participants/caregivers evaluated the EDACS. Correlations were evaluated between the EDACS and Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS), Swallowing Quality of Life (SWAL-QOL), Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), and Manual Ability Classification System (MACS). Interrater reliabilities between SwOTs (κ = 0.866, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.867), and between SwOT and participant/caregiver (κ = 0.884, ICC = 0.717) were reported. The EDACS correlated with the FOIS, SWAL-QOL, and MACS, although no significant correlation was found with the GMFCS. The EDACS of spastic-type showed better correlation than that of dyskinetic-type with the FOIS, MACS, and GMFCS. There was a significant correlation between the EDACS and the GMFCS in those aged ≤ 30 years, whereas there was no correlation in those aged ≥ 30 years. The EDACS is a reliable and valid tool for classifying eating and drinking ability in adults with CP. The correlation between the EDACS with gait or hand function was more prominent in individuals with spastic CP and in younger individuals. The EDACS is a valuable adjunct to comprehensive functional classification in adults with CP.

Diagnostic Accuracy of the Defining Characteristics of Impaired Swallowing in Children with Encephalopathy

The purpose of this study was to analyze the accuracy of the defining characteristics of the nursing diagnosis of impaired swallowing in children with encephalopathy. The measures of diagnostic accuracy for each indicator were verified through latent class analysis. The prevalence of swallowing impairment was 59.76% for a total of 82 children evaluated. The defining characteristics that had good measures of sensitivity (range: 79.59-99.99) and specificity (range: 72.72-99.99) were as follows: food falls from the mouth, tongue action ineffective in forming bolus, prolonged bolus formation, inability to clear the oral cavity, and food refusal. Eight characteristics can be used as warning signs for impaired swallowing because they have high sensitivity values. In addition, ten characteristics presented high specificity and can be used to confirm this diagnosis in children with encephalopathy. Considering the findings of the swallowing pattern assessments through the analysis of the accuracy measures, it is verified that the evidence presented here should guide the pediatrics nurses in the diagnosis decision making. Indicators of high sensitivity should be used as warning signs for swallowing impairment, and the high specificity indicators should be used as a confirmatory sign of this condition and requires immediate intervention.

Transition to adult care for young people with cerebral palsy

Cerebral palsy (CP) is associated with a high burden of comorbid respiratory disease subsequent to multiple risk factors associated with increasing levels of disability. Correspondingly, respiratory disease is the leading cause of death in CP, including amongst young people who are transitioning or who have just transitioned between paediatric and adult healthcare services. Therefore, consideration of both preventive and therapeutic respiratory management is integral to transition in patients with CP, as summarised in this review.

PredictMed: A logistic regression-based model to predict health conditions in cerebral palsy

Logistic regression-based predictive models are widely used in the healthcare field but just recently are used to predict comorbidities in children with cerebral palsy. This article presents a logistic regression approach to predict health conditions in children with cerebral palsy and a few examples from recent research. The model named PredictMed was trained, tested, and validated for predicting the development of scoliosis, intellectual disabilities, autistic features, and in the present study, feeding disorders needing gastrostomy. This was a multinational, cross-sectional descriptive study. Data of 130 children (aged 12-18 years) with cerebral palsy were collected between June 2005 and June 2015. The logistic regression-based model uses an algorithm implemented in R programming language. After splitting the patients in training and testing sets, logistic regressions are performed on every possible subset (tuple) of independent variables. The tuple that shows the best predictive performance in terms of accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity is chosen as a set of independent variables in another logistic regression to calculate the probability to develop the specific health condition (e.g. the need for gastrostomy). The average of accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity score was 90%. Our model represents a novelty in the field of some cerebral palsy-related health outcomes treatment, and it should significantly help doctors' decision-making process regarding patient prognosis.

Clinical Indicators of Impaired Swallowing in Children with Neurological Disorders

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical indicators of the nursing diagnosis impaired swallowing in children with neurological disorders.

METHODS

An integrative review was performed on the Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, Lilacs and Cinahl databases; by crossing the terms impaired degluition, dyphagia, deglutition disorders, cerebral palsy, microcephaly, which resulted in 45 articles.

RESULTS

Eighteen indicators were identified in the oral phase, ten in the pharyngeal phase, and nine in the esophageal phase. There was a percentage of 80.4% of the indicators cited in NANDA-International, especially those referring to the oral phase.

CONCLUSIONS

There are clinical indicators in both phases of impaired swallowing in children with neurological dysfunctions presenting heterogeneous distribution.

Identifying Factors Associated With Severe Intellectual Disabilities in Teenagers With Cerebral Palsy Using a Predictive Learning Model

BACKGROUND

Intellectual disability and impaired adaptive functioning are common in children with cerebral palsy, but there is a lack of studies assessing these issues in teenagers with cerebral palsy. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop and test a predictive machine learning model to identify factors associated with intellectual disability in teenagers with cerebral palsy.

METHODS

This was a multicenter controlled cohort study of 91 teenagers with cerebral palsy (53 males, 38 females; mean age ± SD = 17 ± 1 y; range: 12-18 y). Data on etiology, diagnosis, spasticity, epilepsy, clinical history, communication abilities, behaviors, motor skills, eating, and drinking abilities were collected between 2005 and 2015. Intellectual disability was classified as "mild," "moderate," "severe," or "profound" based on adaptive functioning, and according to the DSM-5 after 2013 and DSM-IV before 2013, the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children for patients up to ages 16 years, 11 months, and the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale for patients ages 17-18. Statistical analysis included Fisher's exact test and multiple logistic regressions to identify factors associated with intellectual disability. A predictive machine learning model was developed to identify factors associated with having profound intellectual disability. The guidelines of the "Transparent Reporting of a Multivariable Prediction Model for Individual Prognosis or Diagnosis Statement" were followed.

RESULTS

Poor manual abilities (P ≤ .001), gross motor function (P ≤ .001), and type of epilepsy (intractable: P = .04; well controlled: P = .01) were significantly associated with profound intellectual disability. The average model accuracy, specificity, and sensitivity was 78%.

CONCLUSION

Poor motor skills and epilepsy were associated with profound intellectual disability. The machine learning prediction model was able to adequately identify high likelihood of severe intellectual disability in teenagers with cerebral palsy.