Fatigue and its relationship with physical activity, age, and body composition in adults with cerebral palsy

Aim The objectives of this exploratory study were (1) to describe the experience of fatigue in adults with cerebral palsy (CP) inclusive of all levels of the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS); and (2) to determine if physical activity level, sedentary time, age, or body composition...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Developmental medicine and child neurology 2017-04, Vol.59 (4), p.367-373
Main Authors: McPhee, Patrick G, Brunton, Laura K, Timmons, Brian W, Bentley, Todd, Gorter, Jan Willem
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Accelerometry
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Aging
Body Composition - physiology
Body Mass Index
Canada
Cerebral Palsy - complications
Cross-Sectional Studies
Exercise
Fatigue - etiology
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Retrospective Studies
Severity of Illness Index
Statistics as Topic
Waist Circumference
Young Adult
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Summary:Aim The objectives of this exploratory study were (1) to describe the experience of fatigue in adults with cerebral palsy (CP) inclusive of all levels of the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS); and (2) to determine if physical activity level, sedentary time, age, or body composition can predict fatigue in adults with CP. Method An observational study was conducted in an outpatient setting in Ontario, Canada. Participants included adults with CP (n=41; GMFCS levels I–V; mean age 33.7y, standard deviation [SD] 12.3y). Fatigue was measured using the Fatigue Impact and Severity Self‐Assessment (FISSA) questionnaire. Habitual physical activity and sedentary time were measured using accelerometry. Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference were reported as measures of body composition. Results The mean (SD) FISSA score for all participants was 84.5 (30.6), ranging from 54.0 (18.3) (GMFCS level I) to 93.6 (21.9) (GMFCS level V). Significant positive relationships (regression coefficient β [95% confidence intervals]) were observed between BMI and FISSA scores (1.9 [0.73–3.1]), waist circumference and FISSA scores (0.71 [0.19–1.2]), and age and FISSA scores (0.99 [0.26–1.7]). A significant negative relationship was observed between moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity (MVPA) per hour and FISSA scores −6.4 [−12 to −0.83]). Backwards stepwise regression analysis revealed BMI (1.8 [0.61–2.9]) and MVPA per hour (−5.4 [−10 to −0.30]) were significant predictors of FISSA scores. Interpretation Health care providers should consider the importance of weight management and physical activity to prevent and treat fatigue in this population. What this paper adds The Fatigue Impact and Severity Self‐Assessment questionnaire can be used to measure the experience of fatigue in adults with cerebral palsy (CP). Fatigue in adults with CP appears to increase in a non‐linear fashion from Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I to V. Body mass index and moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity are significant predictors of fatigue in this sample of adults with CP. This article is commented on by Morganon pages 344–345 of this issue. Video Podcast: https://youtu.be/72IdK9yk6dc
ISSN:0012-1622
1469-8749
DOI:10.1111/dmcn.13306