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Gross Motor Function, Functional Independence, and Quality of Life in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Cross-Sectional
Hadeel Halaweh1, Razan Abumaizer1, Ahmed Kharraz1
1Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Al-Quds University Faculty of Health Professions, Jerusalem, State of Palestine.
Insights
Gross motor function and functional independence significantly impact the quality of life (QoL) for children with cerebral palsy (CP). Lower independence and poorer motor function correlate with reduced QoL in physical, social, and emotional well-being.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Rehabilitation
- Disability Studies
- Quality of Life Research
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) significantly affects children's motor function and daily independence.
- Understanding the relationship between motor function, independence, and Quality of Life (QoL) is crucial for effective intervention in children with CP.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between gross motor function, functional independence, and QoL in children with CP in the West Bank, Palestine.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 167 children with CP.
- Utilized the CP-QoL measure, Functional Independence Measure (FIM), and Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS).
- Statistical analyses included ANOVA and correlation coefficients (Pearson's/Spearman's).
Main Results:
- A strong negative correlation was observed between GMFCS level and FIM scores (r=-0.696, P < .001).
- Both FIM and GMFCS were significantly associated with QoL across physical, social, and emotional domains (P < .001).
- No significant association was found for the 'pain and impact of disability' domain or the 'family health' domain with GMFCS.
Conclusions:
- Higher GMFCS levels and lower FIM scores are linked to reduced QoL in children with CP.
- Findings emphasize the need for person- and family-centered rehabilitation strategies.
- Highlights significant associations between motor function, independence, and QoL in this population.
Objective:
The objective is to investigate the association between gross motor function, functional independence, and quality of life (QoL) in children with cerebral palsy (CP) in the West Bank, Palestine.
Materials And Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted using the CP-QoL measure, Functional Independence Measure (FIM), and Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). A 1-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Least Significant Difference post-hoc analysis was used to compare total FIM scores across GMFCS levels. Correlations between GMFCS, FIM, and CP-QoL domains were examined using Pearson's or Spearman's coefficients based on data distribution. Statistical significance was set at P < .05.
Results:
The study included 167 children with CP (mean age 7.3 ± 4.08; range 3-18 years; 56.9% male). Spastic quadriplegia (35.3%) and GMFCS Level V (44.9%) were the most common. A strong negative correlation was found between GMFCS level and total FIM score (r=-0.696, P < .001). The correlation results showed that both FIM and GMFCS were significantly associated with QoL across multiple domains, including physical, social, and emotional well-being (P < .001), except for the "pain and impact of disability" domain in both measures and the "family health" domain in GMFCS (P > .05).
Conclusion:
This study highlights significant associations between gross motor function, functional independence, and QoL in children with CP. Higher GMFCS levels and lower FIM scores are associated with reduced QoL across emotional, physical, and social domains. Although the cross-sectional design limits causal inference, the findings underscore the importance of comprehensive, person- and family-centered rehabilitation strategies for children with CP.
