Disclosures: Ruth E. Stanton, MD, MS: No financial relationships or conflicts of interest

Objective: Assess relationships between balance during single limb stance time (SLST), gross motor function measure (GMFM), and fall frequency in children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Design: Prospective observational study.

Setting: Outpatient pediatric motion analysis center.

Participants: 20 youths, ages 3-21 years of age with diagnosis of CP spastic diplegia who could ambulate without assistive equipment.

Interventions: Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures: Methods: Gross functionality was measured through completion of Sections D (standing) and E ( walking, running, and jumping) of the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM). Gross Motor Function Classification Score (GMFCS) was assessed by physical therapists, balance was assessed via motion analysis force plate during single limb stance, and fall risk was assessed via questionnaire. Main Outcome Measures: Center of pressure excursion (COPE) area, COPE velocity, and SLST during single limb stance.

Results: SLST demonstrated a high positive correlation with section E of GMFM and a moderate positive correlation with section D of GMFM. There was a moderate positive correlation between SLST and COPE area. Fall frequency demonstrated a low positive correlation with COPE velocity and negligible correlations with other measures.

Conclusions: SLST does moderately correlate with GMFM and COPE area. However, children with higher reported fall frequencies did not demonstrate worse single leg stance times, COPE measurements or GMFM scores.

Level of Evidence: Level III

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PM&R Meeting Abstracts - https://pmrjabstracts.org/abstract/single-limb-standing-test-gross-motor-function-measure-and-reported-fall-frequencies-in-children-diagnosed-with-cerebral-palsy/