Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Growth and Developmental Disorder Pediatrics

Background: Spasticity is a widespread problem in cerebral palsy (CP) as it affects function and can lead to structural changes in the muscle which can be detected by ultrasonography. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between muscle architecture, spasticity and functional abilities in spastic diplegic children. Subjects and procedures: Thirty five (20 spastic diplegic and 15 normal) children (boys and girls) with age ranged from 2-5 years were selected to participate in this study. The spastic children were able to stand holding on momentarily (level III of GMFCS) and their grading of spasticity was from 1-2 according to MAS. Muscle architecture parameters (pennation angle and muscle thickness) were measured by ultrasonography, spasticity was measured by MAS and functional abilities were measured by GMFM-88. Results: The results of this study revealed that there was a positive significant correlation between function GMFM and muscle thickness of right adductors in the spastic group. In comparison between normal and spastic groups there was a significant increase in pennation angle of left adductors in normal group, also a significant increase in muscle thickness of left adductors in normal group. In conclusion: It can be concluded that there is a positive relation between functional abilities and muscle thickness of right adductors

Issued also as CD