Gross Motor Function Measure

Summary

This video provides an in-depth overview of the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM), a tool used to assess the gross motor abilities of children, particularly those with cerebral palsy (CP). It explains the different sections of the GMFM, such as lying, rolling, sitting, and crawling, as well as the scoring system. Through the case of a 3-year-old child named Aaron, the video demonstrates how clinicians use the GMFM to evaluate progress and tailor therapy. The video highlights the importance of the GMFM in tracking changes over time, especially for children with CP, to develop effective intervention plans.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) is used to assess the gross motor function of children with cerebral palsy (CP) and other diagnoses like Down syndrome or brain injuries.
• 😀 The GMFM is effective in tracking the progress of children with CP, providing valuable insights into their motor function and therapy outcomes.
• 😀 The GMFM is scored from 0 to 3, with 0 indicating no movement initiation and 3 indicating full, difficulty-free completion of the activity.
• 😀 The GMFM has two versions: GMFM-88, which is more detailed and suitable for low-functioning children, and GMFM-66, which is shorter and more focused on CP assessment.
• 😀 The GMFM is used for children aged 5 months to 16 years, with a focus on children whose motor skills are around 5 years or younger.
• 😀 The GMFM helps to develop intervention programs by accurately measuring changes in gross motor function, which is vital for effective therapy.
• 😀 The prognosis for children with CP can vary significantly, highlighting the importance of the GMFM in monitoring and understanding their motor development over time.
• 😀 Research by Rosenbaum showed that CP patients often experience plateaus in their motor development, followed by periods of improvement, emphasizing the need for continued therapy even when progress seems stagnant.
• 😀 The GMFM can be used as a primary tool to justify treatment frequency and help in decision-making regarding therapy plans for children with CP.
• 😀 The GMFM is an observational tool, meaning the physical therapist should only assist in positioning the child and verbally instruct them during the test. Alternative methods like role-playing and crawling through tunnels can also help engage non-compliant patients.

Q & A

What is the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) used for?

The GMFM is used to determine the current level of gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy and other conditions such as Down syndrome or brain injuries. It also tracks changes in motor function over time, particularly with therapy.

What are the two versions of the GMFM, and how do they differ?

The two versions of the GMFM are GMFM-88 and GMFM-66. GMFM-88 is more detailed, used for children with lower levels of function, and takes longer to administer. GMFM-66 is shorter, more suitable for children with cerebral palsy, and is weighted based on the difficulty of each task.

What age group can be assessed using the GMFM?

The GMFM is used for children from 5 months to 16 years old. However, the motor skills age of the children should be either 5 years old or younger.

How is the GMFM scored?

The GMFM is scored based on a range of activities, each scored from 0 to 3. A score of 0 means the activity was not initiated, and 3 means the activity was completed with no difficulty. Each activity has a maximum of 30 attempts.

What is the significance of the GMFM in clinical settings?

The GMFM provides outcome scores that reflect how much of an activity the child can complete, which helps clinicians understand activity outcomes. This information is crucial for developing targeted treatment plans and justifying the frequency of treatment.

How does the GMFM help track the progress of children with cerebral palsy?

The GMFM tracks changes in gross motor function over time. According to a study by Rosenbaum, it was found that some children with cerebral palsy might plateau in their progress but can still show improvements later, which is important for ongoing treatment and planning.

What did the Rosenbaum study find about the prognosis of children with cerebral palsy?

The Rosenbaum study highlighted that the prognosis for children with cerebral palsy is highly variable. Some children may experience a plateau in their progress, but others may show improvements after that plateau.

Why is it important for physical therapists to use the GMFM?

The GMFM helps physical therapists track and measure changes in gross motor function, which is critical for developing effective treatment plans. It can also be used to justify treatment frequency and assess the effectiveness of interventions.

What materials are required for administering the GMFM?

Administering the GMFM requires a variety of materials, including toys, mats, and other items specific to the tasks being tested. The user manual provides detailed dimensions for some of these items.

How is the GMFM administered during therapy sessions?

The GMFM is administered through observation. The physical therapist helps position the child initially but only instructs the child verbally, with no physical assistance beyond the starting position. Therapists may also use strategies like role-playing or follow-the-leader for non-compliant patients.