AWARENESS AND USE OF GROSS MOTOR FUNCTION MEASURE (GMFM-66) FOR CEREBRAL PALSY AMONG PHYSIOTHERAPISTS

Abstract

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is the non-progressive neurological disturbance which leads to motor and mental impairment during the pre-natal ,natal and post-natal life of an infant .To evaluate the CP (GMFM-66) is the most commonly used tool which analyzed by Gross motor ability estimator (GMAE), a computerized based software. A cross-sectional (self-reported) questionnaire survey design has been used for data collection and a self-administered questionnaire was used who fulfilled the inclusion criteria after elucidating the aim of the study and taking consent. Non probability purposive sampling technique was used and sample size of 194 was calculated. Study settings includes Jinnah Post Graduate hospital, Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation DUHS, Dr. Ziauddin hospital, Hill Park General Hospital, Civil Hospital Karachi, Services Hospital, Rabia Moon Trust, Liaquat National Hospital, Aga Khan University Hospital, Baqai Institute Of Physical Therapy. Data was analyzed by SPSS Version 23.0. Frequencies and percentages has been taken out for all categorical variables. Descriptive statistics has been applied as test of significance to evaluate the awareness and use of gross motor function measure GMFM-66 for CP among physiotherapists. The result shows that half of the physiotherapists use tools to evaluate CP among them 61.3% of physiotherapists are aware about GMFM-66 and only 45.8% physiotherapist use GMFM-66 in their clinical practice. Our study shows that many physical therapists are aware about the GMFM-66 but many of them are not using it due to lack of availability in department or due to time consuming procedure.