TY - JOUR
T1 - Functioning and disability of children and adolescents in a vegetative state and a minimally conscious state
T2 - Identification of ICF-CY-relevant categories
AU - Leonardi, Matilde
AU - Sattin, Davide
AU - Giovannetti, Ambra M.
AU - Pagani, Marco
AU - Strazzer, Sandra
AU - Villa, Federica
AU - Martinuzzi, Andrea
AU - Buffoni, Mara
AU - Castelli, Enrico
AU - Lispi, Maria Luisa
AU - Trabacca, Antonio
AU - Gennaro, Leonarda
AU - Raggi, Alberto
PY - 2012/12
Y1 - 2012/12
N2 - Children in a vegetative state (VS) and a minimally conscious state (MCS) experience severe limitations as a consequence of nervous system deficits and require consistent environmental support. However, disability in VS and MCS children has never been described following a model that accounts for the presence of the symptoms, limitations and the support required. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to describe the functioning and disability of children in VS and MCS using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health - version for Children and Youth (ICF-CY). VS and MCS children were enrolled in postacute settings and at home. ICF-CY questionnaires were filled in using information available from clinical documentation, direct observation and from children's parents. ICF-CY categories were considered as relevant if used in at least one-third of the children. In total, 36 children and adolescents (22 in VS, 25 males) were enrolled. The majority developed VS and MCS following a nontraumatic event; the mean age was 114.8 months and the mean duration of condition was 50.1 months. A total of 94 ICF-CY categories were reported as relevant: 26 were from body functions, mostly from mental functions and mobility chapters; nine from body structures, 32 from activities and participation, mostly from learning, mobility and self-care chapters; and 27 from environmental factors. The use of ICF-CY enables to obtain a specific profile of functioning for each child that can be coupled with known issues, such as loss of brain functions and provision of life-sustaining interventions.
AB - Children in a vegetative state (VS) and a minimally conscious state (MCS) experience severe limitations as a consequence of nervous system deficits and require consistent environmental support. However, disability in VS and MCS children has never been described following a model that accounts for the presence of the symptoms, limitations and the support required. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to describe the functioning and disability of children in VS and MCS using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health - version for Children and Youth (ICF-CY). VS and MCS children were enrolled in postacute settings and at home. ICF-CY questionnaires were filled in using information available from clinical documentation, direct observation and from children's parents. ICF-CY categories were considered as relevant if used in at least one-third of the children. In total, 36 children and adolescents (22 in VS, 25 males) were enrolled. The majority developed VS and MCS following a nontraumatic event; the mean age was 114.8 months and the mean duration of condition was 50.1 months. A total of 94 ICF-CY categories were reported as relevant: 26 were from body functions, mostly from mental functions and mobility chapters; nine from body structures, 32 from activities and participation, mostly from learning, mobility and self-care chapters; and 27 from environmental factors. The use of ICF-CY enables to obtain a specific profile of functioning for each child that can be coupled with known issues, such as loss of brain functions and provision of life-sustaining interventions.
KW - disorders of consciousness
KW - ICF-CY classification
KW - ICF-CY questionnaires
KW - minimally conscious state
KW - vegetative state
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U2 - 10.1097/MRR.0b013e328356425d
DO - 10.1097/MRR.0b013e328356425d
M3 - Article
C2 - 22785047
AN - SCOPUS:84870064888
VL - 35
SP - 352
EP - 359
JO - International Journal of Rehabilitation Research
JF - International Journal of Rehabilitation Research
SN - 0342-5282
IS - 4
ER -