Frequency of Problems in Activities of Daily Livings in Children with Cerebral Palsy

Background: Children with Cerebral Palsypatient have difficulties in performing their ADL’ s. Many factors effects on ADL’ s independence including impairment of upper limb function and fine motor skills. Effect of disability changes over time and severity ranges from mild to severe so there was the need of such study that might help occupational therapist in planning those activities which will make the patient independent in ADL’ s Objective: To find the frequency of problems in daily livings activities in children with cerebral palsy. Methods: It is a Cross-sectional Study conducted in the Department of Developmental & Behavioral pediatrics, The Children’s Hospital and The Institute of Child Health, Lahore, Rising Sun Institute for special children and Hospital of Pakistan Society for Rehabilitation of the disabled (PSRD), Lahore. The study sample was 50 diagnosed Children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) with Activities of daily Livings (ADL’s) problems sampling technique was used for sampling. The Cerebral Palsy (CP) patients were interviewed using Barthel Index Activities of daily livings (ADL’s) scale. Results: This research showed in bowels 52% patient were incontinent whereas in bladder 50% patient incontinent. Grooming skill showed that ability of patient to wear dresses was absent in 50% patient, 34% patient help and 16% patient were independent. Ability of patient to sit on toilet seat was absent in 50% patient, 26% patient need help and 24% patient were independent. Feeding problems showed that 46% Cerebral Palsy (CP) patient have feeding problems, 34% patient needs help in cutting and 20% were independent. In mobility 42% patient were unable to move and 12% patient required major, 20% patient required minor help and 26% patient were independent. Conclusion: The conclusion of the study is cerebral palsy patients have problems in Activities of daily livings (ADL’s). Severe cerebral palsy type has more problems as compared to mild cerebral palsy. Effects of disability often changes over time and severity ranges from mild to severe. These problems mostly due to motor and sensory impairments. Keywords: Activities of Daily Livings, Cerebral Palsy, Gross Motor Function., Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy