Manual Ability Classification System

Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) is a clinical tool used to classify how children with cerebral palsy use their hands to handle objects in daily activities. The MACS is designed to help health professionals, educators, and parents to understand and communicate about how children with cerebral palsy use their hands when handling objects in daily activities. The system is based on self-initiated movement, with particular emphasis on the use of the hands in reaching and grasping activities.

Overview

The Manual Ability Classification System categorizes the ability of children with cerebral palsy to handle objects into five levels. The levels range from I, indicating children who can handle objects easily and successfully, to V, indicating children who are severely limited in their ability to handle objects even with assistance. The classification is determined by the child's typical performance in handling objects in daily activities, not their ability to perform a specific task during a test or assessment.

Levels of the MACS

• Level I: Children can handle objects easily and successfully.
• Level II: Children can handle most objects but with somewhat reduced quality and/or speed of achievement.
• Level III: Children can handle objects with difficulty; they need help to prepare and/or modify activities.
• Level IV: Children have severely limited ability to handle objects even with adapted methods.
• Level V: Children do not handle objects and have severely limited ability to perform even simple actions.

Purpose and Use

The MACS is used by a range of professionals involved in the care and support of children with cerebral palsy, including physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and pediatricians. It is also a valuable tool for educational professionals and parents, providing a clear and easy-to-understand classification of the child's manual abilities. This can assist in setting realistic goals, planning interventions, and allocating resources effectively.

Development and Validation

The Manual Ability Classification System was developed by a group of European researchers in the early 2000s, with the aim of creating a standardized system to classify the manual abilities of children with cerebral palsy. It has been validated through research and is recognized as a reliable and valid tool for classifying the manual abilities of children with cerebral palsy.

Impact

The MACS has had a significant impact on the field of cerebral palsy management and research. It provides a common language for professionals and families to discuss the abilities of children with cerebral palsy, facilitating better communication and understanding. Additionally, it has been used in numerous studies as a way to categorize participants, allowing for more nuanced analysis and understanding of outcomes in cerebral palsy research.

See Also

• Cerebral Palsy
• Occupational Therapy
• Physiotherapy
• Pediatrics