Okul Çağındaki Serebral Palsili Çocuklarda Üst ve Alt Ekstremite Kas Kuvvetinin Yaşam Kalitesi ve Katılıma Etkisinin İncelenmesi

Abstract

Upper motor neurone lesion can cause a wide range of problems affecting activity, participation status and quality of life in children with cerebral palsy (CP). The aim of this study was to evaluate whether upper and lower extremity muscle strength is a factor in the activity, participation and quality of life parameters determined within the framework of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) in school-age children with CP and to reveal the difference in upper and lower extremity muscle strength compared to typically developing peers. For this purpose, 105 children (n:105, mean+SD:9.00±2.01 years) aged 6-12 years with CP and 5 typically developing peers (n:35, mean+SD ±SS:9.00±2.03 years) were included in the study. Upper and lower extremity muscle strength of children with CP and typically developing children were measured by hand dynamometer. Activity level was assessed using The Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory Computer version (PEDI-CAT), participation level was assessed using the Assessment of life habits (LIFE-H), quality of life was assessed using the Cerebral Palsy Quality of Life Questionnaire (CP QOL) and the Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument (PODCI). A statistically significant difference was found in favour of typically developing children in terms of mean muscle strength values of upper and lower extremities (p<0.05). Knee extensor muscle strength had a significant effect on participation (p<0.001), while elbow extensor muscle strength had a significant effect on quality of life (p<0.001). Muscle strength is a factor that should be considered to increase the level of participation and quality of life in children with CP. It is especially important to evaluate elbow and knee extensor muscle strength and to include them in physiotherapy and rehabilitation programmes.