Functional deterioration in adults with cerebral palsy

Objective: To examine the problem of functional deterioration of patients w ith cerebral palsy. Subjects: Adults with cerebral palsy who work at community workshops throug hout Japan. Settings: Interviews combined with physical examinations. In the first part of the study a survey was conducted, to which 686 patients responded. In t he second part, physicians conducted physical examinations on 163 patients. In the third part, the patients who had been examined in the second part w ere studied. Results: Functional deterioration was noted in approximately 35% of adult p atients with cerebral palsy; it was higher among those with involuntary mov ements of the head and neck and abnormal movement patterns during locomotio n. Deterioration was also noted among those who reported an inadequate work environment, such as poor posture during work and unsuitability of the des k, chairs and tools. Deterioration over a five-year period was noted in 8 o f 122 patients. Conclusion: Although the factors intrinsic to cerebral palsy are often resp onsible for the functional deterioration, environmental factors are not to be taken lightly if functional deterioration is to be prevented.