Functions (Mobility, Self-care, Social Ability) and Health-related Quality of Life in Children with Cerebral Palsy

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the functional (mobility, self-care, social ability) and health-related quality of life in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Methods: A cross- sectional survey of 202 children with CP, mean age $5.91{\pm}1.57$ years, was carried out using the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM), Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI), and Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ). Results: The functional assessment of children with CP showed that a more severe GMFCS level was associated with lower functional abilities (p<0.05). The health-related quality of life assessment showed that psychosocial well-being was less impaired than physical well-being. The internal consistency of the three instruments was satisfactory (cronbach's ${\alpha}$>0.80). The three different scales were correlated from moderate to strong (r=0.44 to 0.92). It was also found that mobility, tone distribution, and the parents' education level exerted a significant effect on the quality of life of children with CP (p<0.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that children with CP have reduced function and quality of life and these are influenced by various factors. However, planning and application of various task-oriented functional interventions to childhood CP may be useful.