Determinants of quality of life in children with cerebral palsy: a comprehensive biopsychosocial approach

Kuan-Lin Chen; Mei-Hui Tseng; Jeng-Yi Shieh; Lu Lu; Chien-Yu Huang

doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2013.12.002

Determinants of quality of life in children with cerebral palsy: a comprehensive biopsychosocial approach

Res Dev Disabil. 2014 Feb;35(2):520-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2013.12.002. Epub 2013 Dec 27.

Authors

Kuan-Lin Chen¹, Mei-Hui Tseng², Jeng-Yi Shieh³, Lu Lu³, Chien-Yu Huang⁴

Affiliations

¹ School of Occupational Therapy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan.
² School of Occupational Therapy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address: mhtseng@ntu.edu.tw.
³ Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
⁴ School of Occupational Therapy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.

PMID: 24374895
DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2013.12.002

Abstract

This study investigated the determinants of quality of life (QOL) of children with cerebral palsy (CP) considering possible variables comprehensively from a biopsychosocial perspective by adopting the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and using a CP-specific QOL questionnaire. A total of 167 children with CP (mean age 9.06 years, SD 2.61 years) and their caregivers participated in this study. Children's QOL was measured by the Cerebral Palsy Quality of Life for Children (CP QOL-Child) - primary caregiver proxy-report form. The potential determinants of QOL were collected based on all ICF dimensions. Results of seven multiple regression models showed that the determinants of QOL in children with CP were multidimensional and biopsychosocial in nature, i.e., encompassing the domains of health condition, body functions and structures, and contextual factors of the ICF. Children's behavioral and emotional problems as well as caregiver's psychological and family-related factors were important determinants of QOL in children with CP. Knowledge of the determinants of QOL could serve as a guide in a holistic approach to evaluation and intervention targeted at these determinants to improve the QOL of children with CP.

Keywords: Cerebral palsy; Determinants; ICF; Quality of life.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adaptation, Psychological
Caregivers
Cerebral Palsy / psychology*
Child
Child Behavior Disorders / psychology
Family Characteristics
Female
Health Status*
Humans
Linear Models
Male
Mobility Limitation*
Multivariate Analysis
Proxy
Quality of Life*
Severity of Illness Index
Sex Factors
Social Participation*
Surveys and Questionnaires