The effects of hand deformity on upper-limb function and health-related quality of life in children with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of hand deformity on upper-limb function and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP). The study included 44 children with hemiplegic CP between the ages of 6 and 14 years (mean age, 10.04 years; SD, 3.1; 23 males, 21 females). The Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) and Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) were used, with the Zancolli classification to characterize hand deformities on the more affected side. Upper-limb function was assessed in terms of unilateral capacity (Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test: QUEST) and bimanual performance (Children’s Hand-use Experience Questionnaire: CHEQ), while HRQOL was evaluated on the KIDSCREEN-27 questionnaire. Comparison of bimanual performance and unilateral capacity in children with Zancolli level 1 and 2a hemiplegic CP found statistically significant differences (p < 0.01). There was also a significant difference on the HRQOL ‘physical activities and health’ subdomain, in favor of Zancolli level I deformity (p = 0.003), but not on the other HRQOL domains (p > 0.05). Upper-limb function and the HRQOL physical health domain were poorer with greater hand deformity in children with hemiplegic CP.