Locomotion skills in adults with cerebral palsy

Objectives: To investigate self-reported locomotion skills in persons with cerebral palsy (CP) and to investigate variables potentially associated with deterioration of walking skills.Design: Cross-sectional retrospective survey.Setting and subjects: A multidimensional mailed questionnaire was sent to 766 persons with CP, 18 years or over, without intellectual disabilities, living in Norway.Main outcome measures: The questionnaire consisted of demographic and diagnostic items, items on locomotion skills, and physical function (SF-36).Results: In total 406 persons, 51% males and 49% females from 18 to 72 years (mean 34 years, SD 11 years) with all categories of CP responded. Median age for reported walking debut was 3 years, with a range from 1 to 14 years. In total 216 respondents (53%) walked without support, 104 persons (25%) walked with support, 39 persons (10%) had lost their walking skills, and 47 (12%) had never been able to walk. Mean level of physical function (SF-36) was 53 out of 100. There were...