The relationship of dystonia and choreoathetosis with activity, participation and quality of life in children and youth with dyskinetic cerebral palsy.

AIM

To relate dystonia and choreoathetosis with activity, participation and quality of life (QOL) in children and youth with dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy (CP).

METHODS

Fifty-four participants with dyskinetic CP (mean age 14y6m, SD 4y2m, range 6-22y) were included. The Dyskinesia Impairment Scale (DIS) was used to evaluate dystonia and choreoathetosis. Activity, participation and quality of life (QOL) were assessed with the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM), the Functional Mobility Scale (FMS), the Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test (JTT), the ABILHAND-Kids Questionnaire (ABIL-K), the Life Habits Kids (LIFE-H) and the Quality of Life Questionnaire for children with CP (CP-QOL). Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (r) was used to assess the relationship between the movement disorders and activity, participation and QOL measures.

RESULTS

Significant negative correlations were found between dystonia and the activity scales with Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (r) varying between -0.65 (95% CI = -0.78 to -0.46) and -0.71 (95% CI = -0,82 to -0.55). Correlations were also found with the LIFE-H (r = -0.43; 95%CI = -0.64 to -0.17) and the CP-QOL (r = -0.32; 95%CI = -0.56 to -0.03). As far as choreoathetosis is concerned, no or only weak relationships were found with the activity, participation and quality of life scales.

INTERPRETATION

This cross-sectional study is the first to examine the relationship of dystonia and choreoathetosis in dyskinetic CP with the level of activity, participation and QOL. The results revealed dystonia has a higher impact on activity, participation and quality of life than choreoathetosis. These findings seem to suggest it is necessary to first focus on dystonia reducing intervention strategies and secondly on choreoathetosis.