The effect of pain on activity independence and health -related quality of life in cerebral palsied individuals

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of pain on activity independence and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in cerebral palsied (CP) individuals. Individuals with CP aged 15 and above 50 with an average age of 22.18 ± 7.77 years were included in the study. After obtaining demographic information of the individuals who joined the study, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Functional Independence Measurement (FIM) and Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) were used for the evaluation of pain, daily living activity and HRQoL, respectively. Changes in pain with time and the limiting magnitude of pain in ambulation and daily activities were also questioned. Pain prevalence was found as 36%. Pain localization was determined in the lower back, hip, shoulder, and lower extremity. Average pain magnitude was determined as: current (4 ± 2.02), minimal (2.88 ± 1.77), moderate (4.77 ± 1.55), or intense (6.88 ± 2.02) pain. Individuals stated that the pain limited their ambulation (6.55 ± 3.27) and daily activities (5.22 ± 2.55) moderately. A significant difference was found among the energy level of the NHP and total NHP in individuals with pain versus those having no pain (p<0.05); there was no significant difference between the sub-parameters of FIM and total FIM (p>0.05). Pain was found to affect daily activities and ambulation ranging in degree from mild to severe, leading to an effect on HRQoL of the individuals with CP. We suggest that approaches oriented to the determination and treatment of pain in CP individuals will increase activity participation and HRQoL.