World Health Organization Healthy Ageing model applied to adults with cerebral palsy: A systematic review of reported intrinsic capacity measures

Most people living with cerebral palsy (CP) are now adults over 30 years of age - yet we still know surprisingly little about how CP shapes ageing across the lifespan. This review looked at all the available research (102 studies) to highlight current knowledge on physical and mental ‘reserves’ of adults with CP, what the World Health Organization (WHO) terms as ‘Intrinsic Capacity’. We looked at comparisons with people without CP, and how these reserves change as people with CP get older. The evidence showed that adults with CP often have lower muscle strength, balance, and energy levels compared to people without CP. These findings suggest adults are entering the later stages of adulthood with less ability to compensate for normal ageing changes. This is in line with adults reporting changes to their mobility, which likely results from having a reduced ‘reserve’ to start with, together with long standing lifestyle and environmental factors. However more research is needed on adults with CP who are over the age of 50 years, and studies that follow people over time, to make it easier to understand how changes can be reduced or prevented long-term. Importantly, there was very little research on thinking skills, mental health, or sensory changes (like vision and hearing). For people with CP, these findings emphasise the importance of protecting physical and mental reserves by maintaining strength, fitness, and overall health from young adulthood. In addition, intentional use of supports are important to maintain functional ability to do every day activities, supporting a person's engagement in life and societal inclusiveness.