Relationship Between Gross Motor Function and Quality Of Life in Children with Unilateral and Bilateral Cerebral Palsy

Authors

Ünal Değer, Eastern Mediterranean UniversityFollow
Akmer Mutlu, Haceteppe UniversityFollow

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Purpose: It is known that quality of life (QoL) is negatively affected in children with cerebral palsy (CP). This study investigated the correlation between gross motor function and QoL in children with unilateral and bilateral CP at levels I and II according to the Gross Motor Classification System. Methods: Fourty individuals with CP, ages between 8-18 years, were included in this study. The Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) was used to evaluate the children’s gross motor functions, and the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) was used to determine levels. QoL was evaluated with the Quality of Life Scale For Children (PedsQL). Results: Although there was no significant correlation between supine-prone rolling subscore of the GMFM and subscores of PedsQL in children with CP (p>0.05), there was a positive correlation with sitting, crawling-kneeling, standing, and walking-running-jumping subscale scores of the GMFM (p Conclusion: This study showed a positive correlation between gross motor function state and QoL in children with unilateral and bilateral CP. There was also a positive correlation between the GMFM D-E and physical dimensions of QoL scores. On the other hand, unlike the children with bilateral CP, there was no correlation between GMFM D-E scores and the psychosocial dimension of QoL in children with unilateral CP. Impairments may predict poor physical well-being and other functional QoL dimensions, but not the psychosocial dimension of QoL.

Author Bio(s)

Ünal Değer is working as an assistant professor doctor at the Eastern Mediterranean University. She completed her doctorate in pediatric physiotherapy and rehabilitation at Hacettepe University. Akmer Mutlu is working as a professor doctor at Hacettepe University. She is working as a lecturer for the cerebral palsy and risky newborns unit in the clinical and research field.

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the children and their families for their willingness to participate in this study.

Recommended Citation

Değer Ü, Mutlu A. Relationship Between Gross Motor Function and Quality Of Life in Children with Unilateral and Bilateral Cerebral Palsy. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. 2025 Jan 17;23(1), Article 28.