A comparison of activity, participation and quality of life in children with and without spastic diplegia cerebral palsy.
OBJECTIVE
To measure activity, participation and QoL in children with CP and to determine how these differ from a comparable group of typically developing (TD) children.


METHODS
A total of eleven males and eight females with CP ranging in age from 5 to 12 years (mean age 7 years 10 months, SD 1 year 10 months; GMFCS level I-II) and 19 age and sex matched TD peers were recruited. Activity was measured using Paediatric Activity Card Sort (PACS), 6-Minute Walk Test and Timed Up and Go Test (TUG). Participation was measured using the assessment of Life Habits (LIFE-H) and quality of life was measured using the Cerebral Palsy Quality of Life Questionnaire (CP-QoL).


RESULTS
TD children performed more activities of personal care than children with CP, as assessed via the PACS, t(40) = 3.266, p = 0.002. TD children participate in more life habits than children with CP across all the LIFE-H domains except that of relationships. Results from the CP-QoL indicate that TD children experience a greater QoL in the domains of functioning, t(40) = 2.824, p = 0.007, and participation and physical health, t(40) = 3.543, p = 0.001, than children with CP.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings encourage the development of therapeutic interventions that aim to reduce these imbalances at all levels of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health.
Edith Cowan University, School of Exercise, Biomedical and Health Sciences, Australia. adele.calley@senses.asn.au
Adele
A
Calley
Sîan
S
Williams
Siobhán
S
Reid
Eve
E
Blair
Jane
J
Valentine
Sonya
S
Girdler
Catherine
C
Elliott
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D012919:Social Behavior; D012931:Social Environment; D058992:Social Participation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires