Segmental trunk control and developmental parameters in children with cerebral palsy aged 24 to 42 months: A cross-sectional study

This study aimed (1) to investigate the relationship between segmental trunk control and motor, cognitive, and language development parameters in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and (2) to compare segmental trunk control levels and motor, language, and cognitive development in children with CP and typically developing (TD) peers. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted with 63 children aged between 24 and 42 months, including those with typical and atypical development. The atypical development group included 30 children with CP ranged from Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I to V (70.0% males, median age: 29 months, interquartile range: 25-36 months), and 33 children in the TD group (69.7% males, median age: 29 months, interquartile range: 26-36 months) included age-matched. Motor, language, and cognitive development domains were evaluated using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition, and the level of trunk control was evaluated using the Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control. In children with CP, segmental trunk control was found to be strongly correlated with motor, cognitive, and language development (all P < .001, Spearman r ranged from 0.767-0.927). Furthermore, children with CP had lower segmental trunk control levels and cognitive, language, and motor development results than their TD peers (all P < .001). The strong relationship between segmental trunk control levels and developmental parameters can guide clinicians and therapists in planning and implementing intervention programs designed for children with CP who have difficulties in trunk control.