Physical activity and walking performance: Influence on quality of life in ambulatory children with cerebral palsy (CP)

Abstract

PURPOSE: To examine the relationship of physical activity (PA) and walking performance to QOL in ambulatory children with CP, as function is not consistently associated with QOL in this population. METHODS: A secondary analysis of a cross-sectional cohort of 128 ambulatory children with CP, ages 2.2–9.9 years and GM-FCS levels I–III, was employed. Individual multivariate regression models were developed for physical, psychosocial, and total domains of QOL as measured by the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) controlling for physical activity and walking performance, participation level and frequency, topography of CP, walking capacity, age, and satisfaction with participation. RESULTS: Physical, psychosocial and total QOL averaged 52.2, 60.9, and 56.5 respectively. PA was positively associated with physical (0.64, p < 0.01) and total QOL (0.54, p < 0.01). Walking performance was associated with physical QOL (0.16, p = 0.05), participation level was positively related to psychosocial (0.44, p < 0.01), and age negatively for all QOL domains (> −0.43, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Physical activity, walking performance, and level of participation in daily life are associated with varying domains of QOL. Future work should explore factors that influence the relationship of daily physical/walking activity and participation to QOL in children with ambulatory CP as they age.

Developmental Trajectories and Reference Percentiles for the 6-Minute Walk Test for Children With Cerebral Palsy

“…7 Similarly, decreased walking mobility is predictive of decreased participation in mobility, education, and social activities, 8 while increased daily walking activity is positively associated with parental report of physical quality of life in children with CP. 9 Time spent walking at higher step rates is associated with mobility-based participation in habits of daily life. 10 Pediatric physical therapists should, therefore, include monitoring of physical activity levels, including walking capacity in routine assessments of children with CP.…”

Multivariate Analysis and Machine Learning in Cerebral Palsy Research

“…Although there is no cure for CP, currently, treatment effects and outcomes in CP patients have been studied extensively. Multivariate approaches have been applied to outcome assessment (including survival analysis) in CP, and Table 2 (the latter part) provides a summary of these studies ( 62 – 78 ). The majority of the outcome studies employed a two-step approach: first, univariate analysis is used to identify variables that are associated with outcome; second, multivariate analysis is used to further examine the variables indicated by the univariate analysis and identify outcome predictors.…”

“…Quality of life in physical ability, intellectual ability, self-care, and other aspects of life is an important outcome in CP. Multivariate analysis has been frequently used to assess QOL in patients with CP ( 65 , 66 , 68 , 72 , 78 ), and factors associated with physical QOL and self-care have been identified. For example, a multivariate analysis on QOL data of infants with CP ( n = 92) identified GMFCS and intellectual capacity as the associated factors of self-care activity development, and GMFCS as the associated factors of mobility activities development ( 72 ).…”

“…For example, a multivariate analysis on QOL data of infants with CP ( n = 92) identified GMFCS and intellectual capacity as the associated factors of self-care activity development, and GMFCS as the associated factors of mobility activities development ( 72 ). Further, a recent multivariate analysis showed that physical activity was positively associated with physical and total QOL in patients with CP ( n = 128), and walking performance was positively associated with physical QOL ( 78 ). The factors identified by these studies may improve the QOL of patients with CP.…”

Effects of CLX Exercise on Foot Pressure, Balance and Gross Motor Function in Children with Cerebral Palsy : Case Study

“…Various physical therapy methods can elicit latent motor skills and solve secondary problems. 8) However, there are always limitations in children, who have difficulty understanding and controlling their movement due to immature body cognition. 9) Elastic band is a resistance exercise in which tension is generated by pulling a band or tube made of elastic material, to create a load against which muscle strength is exerted.…”