Gait classification in children with cerebral palsy: A systematic review

Abstract

This systematic review of the literature evaluates the validity of existing classifications of gait deviations in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Numerous efforts have been made to develop classification systems for gait in CP to assist in diagnosis, clinical decision-making and communication. The internal and external validity of gait classifications in 18 studies were examined, including their sampling methods, content validity, construct validity, reliability and clinical utility. Half of the studies used qualitative pattern recognition to construct the gait classification and the remainder used statistical techniques such as cluster analysis. Few adequately defined their samples or sa..