Comparison of Gross Motor Outcomes Between Children With Cerebral Palsy From Appalachian and Non-Appalachian Counties

Abstract

Purpose: This study evaluated gross motor outcomes between children with cerebral palsy from non-Appalachian and Appalachian counties in the United States. Methods: For this retrospective, matched-case controlled study, data were sourced from electronic medical record and compared between groups. Groups were matched by age and Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level. Results: Children from Appalachian counties had significantly higher Gross Motor Function Measure, 66 (GMFM-66) scores and had a cerebral palsy diagnosis reported in the electronic medical record significantly later compared with children from non-Appalachian counties, controlling for age and GMFCS level. Conclusion: Although it has been documented that families and children from Appalachian counties have poorer overall health outcomes, motor development may not be affected. Our study found that children with cerebral palsy from Appalachian counties scored significantly higher on the GMFM-66 across GMFCS levels.