The Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument (PODCI) as Performance Measure, Comparing General Population with Cerebral Palsy Population Using the Gross Motor Function Classification System Levels I-V

OBJECTIVES: Compare results of the Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument (PODCI) in children ages 2-18 years with cerebral palsy (CP) across all severity levels of the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) with children in the General Population, confirming discriminant validity as a performance assessment tool and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) measure. METHODS: Cross-sectional study: single response PODCI proxy survey databases of 5238 children ages 2-18 years in GP and 2470 in the Population with CP were analyzed. Statistical methods included Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA), Linear Trend Test, and Standard Error Assessment. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference exists between PODCI subscales in General Population and Population with CP across age groups and GMFCS levels. Motor scales and Global Functioning increase with age in both populations and are inversely proportional to GMFCS level in the Population with CP. HRQOL measures decrease with age in both populations with Happiness decreasing more in the General Population than those with CP as age increases. CONCLUSIONS: PODCI demonstrates a statistically significant difference in motor performance and HRQOL in children ages 2-18, between the General Population and the population with CP. PODCI is a valid performance assessment tool for use in CP ages 2-18 across all GMFCS levels. KEYWORDS: Cerebral Palsy, General Population, PODCI, ICF, Performance