Preferential Communication System and the Correlational Force between Gross Motor Function (GMFCS) and Commu¬nication Function (CFCS) in children and adolescents with Spastic Cerebral Palsy (CP), belonging to Teletón Valdivia

Abstract

Introduction: At the national level, there is no national registry of the communication systems used by children with cerebral palsy (CP), nor the relationship between gross motor involvement and communication difficulties. Material or Patients and Methods: Observational study of correlational design in 31 users of the Teletón Institute in Valdivia, aged between 4 and 17 years, all with spastic CP. They were evaluated with the CFCS and Preferential Communication System questionnaire. The Spearman Correlational Coeffi- cient was calculated between GMFCS and CFCS and their communication systems were analyzed, as speech and others such as: signs, gestures, sounds, alternative communication systems by images and applications that reproduce the voice. Results: 77.7% of children and adolescents with spastic CP use speech to communicate while only 22.6% use gestures. 90.3% never use signs or applications that reproduce voice. When relating Communication System with the CFCS level, it was observed that levels 1-2 use speech preferably; level 3 shows mixed behavior and CFCS levels: 4 and 5 use other systems. The correlation between GMFCS and CFCS was r = 0.468 (p < 0.008), that indicates a moderate positive correlation. Conclusions: Children and adoles­cents with spastic CP GMFCS I and II, prefer to communicate using speech. Gross Motor Function has positive correlation with Communication Function, meaning that, the greater the motor impairment, the lower the Communication Function, and vice versa.