Ibrahim Amira F, Elsebahy Sara Y, Aldhahi Monira I, Khalaf Mai M, Torad Ahmed A, Mohamed Taha Mona, El-Sheikh Amira F
Department of Physical Therapy for Pediatrics, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
Department of Physical Therapy for Pediatrics, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Kafr El-Sheikh University, Egypt.
Ann Med. 2025 Dec;57(1):2479587. doi: 10.1080/07853890.2025.2479587. Epub 2025 Mar 19.
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE(S): Children with cerebral palsy often face feeding and swallowing issues, the most common of which include aspiration during feeding and potential pulmonary complications. This impairment can influence other areas of development, including gross motor function, fine motor skills, and oromotor functions involved in feeding and swallowing. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the level of gross motor function, feeding level, oromotor structural dysfunction, tongue thrust, and eating performance in children with cerebral palsy (CP).
PATIENTS/MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study included a total of fifty-five children diagnosed with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy, with a mean age of 4.84 years and a mean weight of 12.46 kg. Participants' ages ranged from 2 to 14 years. All patients underwent evaluations to determine their level of gross motor function using the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), feeding level assessed using the Functional Oral Intake Scale, assessment of oromotor structural dysfunction using the Orofacial Motor Functional Assessment Scale, tongue thrust using the Tongue Thrust Rating Scale, and feeding performance using the Oral Motor Assessment Scale.
Correlational analysis revealed that children with better gross motor function tended to exhibit improved feeding levels, orofacial motor function, and feeding performance ( < 0.05); however, no significant relationship was observed between gross motor function and tongue thrust. Regression models showed moderate positive correlations for age, weight, and height, with respective values of 0.21, 0.23, and 0.28, indicating some influence on outcomes, but with much unexplained variability.
Gross motor function significantly influences feeding and orofacial motor function. These findings suggest that individuals with higher feeding levels tend to have better overall orofacial motor function and feeding performance. Understanding these relationships can inform interventions aimed at improving feeding outcomes and the overall quality of life of children with CP.
背景/目的：脑瘫患儿常常面临进食和吞咽问题，其中最常见的包括进食时误吸以及潜在的肺部并发症。这种功能障碍会影响其他发育领域，包括粗大运动功能、精细运动技能以及进食和吞咽所涉及的口面部运动功能。本研究旨在探讨脑瘫患儿的粗大运动功能水平、进食水平、口面部结构功能障碍、伸舌吞咽动作和进食表现之间的关系。
患者/材料与方法：这项横断面研究共纳入了55名被诊断为痉挛性双侧瘫脑瘫的儿童，平均年龄为4.84岁，平均体重为12.46千克。参与者的年龄在2至14岁之间。所有患者均接受评估，使用粗大运动功能分类系统（GMFCS）确定其粗大运动功能水平，使用功能性口服摄入量表评估进食水平，使用口面部运动功能评估量表评估口面部结构功能障碍，使用伸舌吞咽动作评定量表评估伸舌吞咽动作，并使用口腔运动评估量表评估进食表现。
相关性分析显示，粗大运动功能较好的儿童往往表现出更好的进食水平、口面部运动功能和进食表现（<0.05）；然而，未观察到粗大运动功能与伸舌吞咽动作之间存在显著关系。回归模型显示年龄、体重和身高之间存在中度正相关，其各自的 值分别为0.21、0.23和0.28，表明对结果有一定影响，但仍有许多无法解释的变异性。
粗大运动功能显著影响进食和口面部运动功能。这些发现表明，进食水平较高的个体往往具有更好的整体口面部运动功能和进食表现。了解这些关系可为旨在改善进食结果和提高脑瘫患儿生活质量的干预措施提供依据。
