Adults with cerebral palsy: a workshop to define the challenges of treating and preventing secondary musculoskeletal and neuromuscular complications in this rapidly growing population

Although the neurological injury associated with cerebral palsy (CP) is non-progressive, adults with the disorder often develop musculoskeletal and neurological symptoms, such as severe pain, chronic fatigue, and a premature decline in mobility and function, as they age. Little is known about how to manage, much less prevent, these symptoms. This paper summarizes the findings of a multi-disciplinary workshop, sponsored by the Cerebral Palsy International Research Foundation, the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, and Reaching for the Stars, convened to review current knowledge and begin to develop a blueprint for future research. The goals of the workshop were to (1) define the current incidence and prevalence of CP, (2) review the known complications for persons aging with CP, (3) review current understanding of physiological processes that may contribute to loss of function and premature aging in CP, (4) evaluate current treatment interventions in terms of long-term outcomes, (5) identify cutting-edge technologies in neurorehabilitation that may help prevent or treat the effects of accelerated aging for persons diagnosed with CP, and (6) identify strategies to ensure that individuals with CP receive evidence-based care as they transition from pediatric to adult-care services.