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• BMI does not substantially influence sagittal gait kinematics in children with CP. • Children with CP that are overweight spend longer in double support. • Children with CP appear less likely to walk unaided over long distances if overweight. • Challenging functional measures may better assess the impact of obesity on mobility. Obesity causes altered gait patterns in typically developing children, but its effect on gait in children with physical disabilities is largely unknown. This study explores associations between body mass index (BMI), functional mobility and gait in children with cerebral palsy (CP). An observational cross-sectional study was conducted using three-dimensional gait analysis data from 197 children with CP, Gross Motor Functional Classification System (GMFCS) levels I to III. BMI values were categorised using the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (2000) BMI percentiles, which are specific to age and gender. Regression analyses, with GMFCS level as a covariate, explored associations between BMI category and temporal-spatial, kinematic and functional mobility variables. Analyses included children categorised as healthy weight and overweight/obese only (n = 174), with underweight children excluded (n = 23). 131 children (mean age 10.5 years, SD 3) were categorised as healthy weight and 43 children (mean age 9.6 years, SD 2.5) as overweight or obese. BMI was not associated with most gait variables. Increased double support time, reduced hip extension and increased ankle dorsiflexion were observed in children that were overweight, but most differences were small and of uncertain clinical significance. A lower proportion of overweight children walked independently over 500 m. We found little evidence that BMI has a substantial influence on gait patterns in children with CP but some to suggest it may affect long-distance mobility. Different research strategies are required to improve understanding of relationships between adiposity, strength and function, for effective targeting of interventions to improve mobility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic wound healing is generally a long and uncomfortable process. Consequently, an understanding of wound-related pain from the patients' point of view and evaluation of the effect of pain on a persons' daily life is fundamental to their holistic management. Aim: The aim of the study was to involve patients in discussion about their wound-related pain experiences in order to inform the development of a questionnaire, based on the views of patients from different cultural backgrounds. This study represented one of the preliminary phases of an international survey which aimed to collect data on patient's wound-related pain experiences; from 15 countries world-wide. Method: An international qualitative study was conducted in patients presenting with chronic wounds to identify those aspects of wound-related pain which created most concern. French, British and Canadian patients with chronic wounds participated in a series of focus group studies. Results/Findings: Although a number of similar patient issues were apparent in all three countries, specific cultural differences were also observed: the French group expressed particular concern with body image, the British group were uncomfortable with medication use and the Canadian group were anxious about financial loss and apprehensive of the healthcare system. Conclusion: Wound-related pain can have a huge impact on a persons' everyday life and as such each patient's needs should be recognised and considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]