Publications by authors named "Erika Cloodt"

Article Synopsis
  • Children with cerebral palsy often experience foot deformities, primarily valgus (58%) and less commonly varus (6%), with a significant link to their Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels.
  • Valgus feet are more prevalent in younger children, especially those with higher GMFCS levels, while varus feet appear consistently low across GMFCS categories.
  • The study emphasizes the importance of monitoring foot deformities in CP children, as a greater risk is associated with higher GMFCS levels, younger age, and equinus.
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Background: Sit-to-stand (STS) is one of the most commonly performed functional movements in a child's daily life that enables the child to perform functional activities such as independent transfer and to initiate walking and self-care. Children with cerebral palsy (CP) often have reduced STS ability. The aim of this study was to describe STS performance in a national based total population of children with CP and its association with age, sex, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level, and CP subtype.

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Background And Purpose: Reduced range of motion (ROM) and spasticity are common secondary findings in cerebral palsy (CP) affecting gait, positioning, and everyday functioning. These impairments can change over time and lead to various needs for intervention. The aim of this study was to analyze the development path of the changes in hamstring length, knee extension, ankle dorsiflexion, and spasticity in hamstrings and gastrosoleus from childhood into adulthood in individuals with CP at the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I-V.

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Aim: To estimate the probability of independent walking and wheeled mobility in individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) at home and in the community in relation to age and gross motor function.

Method: This was a longitudinal cohort study using data reported into the combined Swedish CP follow-up programme and national quality registry from October 2000 to October 2022. Walking, walking with aids, wheeled mobility, and assisted mobility defined independent or assisted mobility at home and in the community, based on the Functional Mobility Scale with additional data on wheelchair performance, were assessed.

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Background: To prevent severe contractures and their impact on adjacent joints in children with cerebral palsy (CP), it is crucial to treat the reduced range of motion early and to understand the order by which contractures appear. The aim of this study was to determine how a hip-knee or ankle contracture are associated with the time to and sequence of contracture development in adjacent joints.

Methods: This was a longitudinal cohort study of 1,071 children (636 boys, 435 girls) with CP born 1990 to 2018 who were registered before 5 years of age in the Swedish surveillance program for CP and had a hip, knee or ankle flexion contracture of ≥ 10°.

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Background: Short hamstring muscles can cause several problems for children with cerebral palsy. The results of the clinical measurement of hamstring length are often used in decision-making about treatment of children with cerebral palsy. There are different ways of performing this measurement.

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Background and purpose - Joint contracture is a common problem among children with cerebral palsy (CP). To prevent severe contracture and its effects on adjacent joints, it is crucial to identify children with a reduced range of motion (ROM) early. We examined whether significant hip, knee, or foot contracture occurs earliest in children with CP.

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Aim: To identify the prevalence of knee contracture and its association with gross motor function, age, sex, spasticity, and muscle length in children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Method: Cross-sectional data for passive knee extension were analysed in 3 045 children with CP (1 756 males, 1 289 females; mean age 8y 1mo [SD 3.84]).

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