Association between Postural Stability and Functional Abilities in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy

Background: As the motor severeness increases in children with cerebral palsy (CP), the postural stability during daily functional tasks is influenced, because of the inability to coordinate the sequential activation of postural muscles. Objectives: To study the relationship between postural stability and functional abilities in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed the postural stability through Early Clinical Assessment of Balance (ECAB) and functional abilities by the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI). Thirty-one children with spastic CP were included. The scores of ECAB and PEDI were analyzed with Karl Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Results: The total score of ECAB and PEDI demonstrated a strong correlation (r = 0.856; p < 0.001). Additionally, strong positive correlations were found between ECAB Part 2 (sitting and standing postural control) and mobility domain (r = 0.813; p < 0.001); and self-care (r = 0.756; p < 0.001) domain of PEDI. Conclusions: The findings are indicative of a strong correlation between ECAB and PEDI; hence, a good association between postural stability and functional abilities in children with spastic CP, therefore, it can reciprocally be used to ameliorate life quality in children with CP.