The Effects of Functional Impairments on Health-Related Quality Of Life In Adolescents With Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the impairments of functional motor and communication performance on the health-Related Quality Of life (HRQOL) in adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP). The study included adolescents aged 13 to 18 years (mean age: 16.45 and SD: 1.8; 24 males and 27 females), the majority of whom had spastic CP (68.6%) and less being diagnosed with dyskinetic CP (23.5%) and ataxic CP (7.8%). The severity of impairment in functional motor and communication performance was described using Manual Ability Classification System (MACS), Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and Communication Function Classification System (CFCS). HRQOL outcomes were defined using Cerebral Palsy Quality of Life Questionnaire for Adolescents (CP QOL–Teen). Mann Whitney-U test was used to explore the possible statistical differences between HRQOL outcomes of individuals in higher and lower functional levels. It was found that the severity of impairments in gross and fine motor skills significantly affected all parameters of the HRQOL. Similar to this, statistically significant differences between groups regarding communication skills impairment were discovered in the other HRQOL subtests, with the exception of the CPQOL subtests “School Wellbeing” and “Feelings About Functioning.In adolescents with CP, greater HRQOL outcomes are dependent to a higher functional motor and communication performance level. Therefore, supporting adolescents with CP with the most appropriate treatment approaches to improve their both functional motor and communication skills is very important in order for them to have better HRQOL outcomes.