Could the GMFCS be used to help determine if an invasive surgical procedure should be tried?
Answer
Typically we don't think of the GMFCS as anything more than a classification system. To my knowledge, we are not using the GMFCS to help determine the need for surgical procedures. We are using it merely as a classification tool. It describes the child's function at that moment, not their future abilities or capabilities or their maximal performance. It looks at their exact level at that one point in time that we assess using the tool. I know there have been studies that use the GMFCS as an outcome measure. The developer of the tool, Dr. Rosenbaum, has come out with some statements saying that [outcome measures] aren't what the tool was meant to be used for. The tool was meant to classify function, not be used as an outcome measure. It's a tool more than a test.
Lisa Kenyon, PT, DPT, PhD, PCS
Dr. Kenyon is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Dr. Kenyon heads the Grand Valley Power Mobility Project, an inter-professional research, and service project that provides power mobility training for children and young adults who are not typically considered to be candidates for power mobility use. Dr. Kenyon presents nationally and internationally on topics related to pediatric physical therapist practice and has published multiple journal articles and book chapters pertaining to topics in pediatrics. Dr. Kenyon currently serves on the Committee of Content Experts for the Pediatric Specialty Council of the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties.
Related Courses
1https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/power-to-go-meeting-needs-3615Power to Go: Meeting the Needs of Pediatric Power Mobility LearnersRecent research identifies three different groups of pediatric power mobility learners. Clinically-based intervention strategies, including tools to monitor intervention outcomes, to meet the specific learning needs of children in each power mobility group will be presented and discussed. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.auditory, textual, visual
Recent research identifies three different groups of pediatric power mobility learners. Clinically-based intervention strategies, including tools to monitor intervention outcomes, to meet the specific learning needs of children in each power mobility group will be presented and discussed. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.
2https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/tools-you-can-use-enhancing-3616Tools You Can Use: Enhancing Outcomes Assessment in Children with Cerebral PalsyThis session will focus on outcome measures reflecting the various domains of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) that can be used with children who have cerebral palsy. Guidelines related to the use and application of these various tools will be presented and discussed whilst case scenarios and vignettes will be used to illustrate the application of these evidence-based tools to pediatric practice. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.auditory, textual, visual
This session will focus on outcome measures reflecting the various domains of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) that can be used with children who have cerebral palsy. Guidelines related to the use and application of these various tools will be presented and discussed whilst case scenarios and vignettes will be used to illustrate the application of these evidence-based tools to pediatric practice. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.
3https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/empowering-practice-validating-outcomes-in-2935Empowering Practice: Validating Outcomes in Evidence-Based Clinical PracticeGiven the ever increasing demands for evidence-based therapeutic outcomes, clinicians often grapple with how to effectively evaluate client-centered outcomes of seating and mobility interventions. This session will introduce the use of single-subject research designs (SSRDs) as a way to promote evidence-based evaluation of outcomes through a clinically oriented yet rigorous approach that allows clinicians to quantitatively evaluate and validate outcomes within their everyday practice. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT and PTA.auditory, textual, visual
Given the ever increasing demands for evidence-based therapeutic outcomes, clinicians often grapple with how to effectively evaluate client-centered outcomes of seating and mobility interventions. This session will introduce the use of single-subject research designs (SSRDs) as a way to promote evidence-based evaluation of outcomes through a clinically oriented yet rigorous approach that allows clinicians to quantitatively evaluate and validate outcomes within their everyday practice. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT and PTA.
4https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/what-we-waiting-for-power-3196What Are We Waiting For? The Power of Early MobilityThis course summarizes the benefits of providing early mobility experiences for infants and toddlers who have mobility delays. Concepts related to introducing power mobility, developing a power mobility training plan, and using outcome measures to assess the impact of power mobility will be presented and discussed. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT and PTA.auditory, textual, visual
This course summarizes the benefits of providing early mobility experiences for infants and toddlers who have mobility delays. Concepts related to introducing power mobility, developing a power mobility training plan, and using outcome measures to assess the impact of power mobility will be presented and discussed. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT and PTA.
5https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/obstetric-brachial-plexus-palsy-overview-2984Obstetric Brachial Plexus Palsy: An Overview of Examination and Intervention PrinciplesThis course introduces the pathophysiology and potential functional sequelae of obstetric brachial plexus palsy (OBPP). An evidence-based overview of examination and intervention principles is provided. This activity is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT and PTA.Editor's Note: Regarding Pennsylvania credits, this course is approved by the PA State Board of Physical Therapy for 0.5 hours of general and 0.5 hours of Direct Access CE credit.auditory, textual, visual
This course introduces the pathophysiology and potential functional sequelae of obstetric brachial plexus palsy (OBPP). An evidence-based overview of examination and intervention principles is provided. This activity is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT and PTA.
Editor's Note: Regarding Pennsylvania credits, this course is approved by the PA State Board of Physical Therapy for 0.5 hours of general and 0.5 hours of Direct Access CE credit.
