Glossary of Terms: A-C

Activity

As defined by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, activity is the performance of a task or action by an individual. Activity limitations are difficulties in performance of activities.  These are also referred to as function.

Activities of Daily Living (ADL)

Basic tasks that involve bodily issues (bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, continence, eating, and walking) that are done on a daily basis.

Assisting Hand Assessment (AHA)

This test assesses the use of the more-impaired arm of unilaterally-impaired children during bimanual activities. Twenty-two tasks are scored on a 4-point scale measuring the efficacy of the assisting hand. The test is used with cerebral palsy patients between 18 months and 5 years.

Ashworth scale (modified)

A 5-point scale assessing muscle tone and spasticity where a lower score implies improved (reduced) tonacity.

Body Functions

As defined by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, body functions are the physiological or psychological functions of body systems (nervous, musculoskeletal, digestive or respiratory and circulatory systems). Impairments are problems in body function or structure as a significant deviation or loss.

Body Structures

As defined by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, body structures are anatomical parts of the body such as organs, limbs and their components. Impairments are problems in body function or structure as a significant deviation or loss.

Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM)

A semi-structured, standardized survey of self-perception of performance and satisfaction, the COPM is used to assess or set goals pertaining to self-care, productivity, and activeness. The measure may be used as a temporal tool.

Ataxic cerebral palsy

Decreased muscle tone (loose) leaving patients’ with reduced coordination due to tremor-like shakiness during activities. Gross motor skills such as balance may also be affected.

Athetoid cerebral palsy

Patients may experience random, involuntary and large movements due to a mix of both low and high muscle tone. Difficulty staying upright during sitting and walking and large facial movements is not uncommon. An estimated 25% of patients are diagnosed with this type of CP.

Mixed cerebral palsy

Extreme muscle tones, whether they be high or low, are found in different muscles throughout the body. An estimated 25% of patients are said to have this type of CP.

Spastic cerebral palsy

Elevated muscle tone (tightness) leaving patients’ movements jerky and difficult to control. An estimated 50% of people inflicted with CP are of this type.

Clinical Practice Guideline

Systematically developed descriptive tools or standardized specifications for care to assist practitioner and patient decisions about appropriate health care for specific clinical circumstances. Practice guidelines are typically developed through a formal process and are based on authoritative sources, including clinical literature and expert consensus.