Motor factors associated with health-related quality-of-life in ambulatory children with cerebral palsy

Objective: This study aimed to examine the relationship between fine and gross motor skills and cerebral palsy-specific quality-of-life in ambulatory children with cerebral palsy. Design: Thirty-nine children with cerebral palsy (29 boys, 10 girls; mean age ± SD, 8.8 ± 2.3 yrs) classified under Gross Motor Function Classification System Level I or II were enrolled. Health-related quality-of-life was evaluated using the Cerebral Palsy Quality of Life Questionnaire for Children (parent-proxy version). Motor functions were measured using the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency. Results: Regression analysis for QOL revealed fine motor skills, including upper-limb speed and dexterity, which are positively correlated to functioning (r² = 0.205, P < 0.01), and visual-motor control that is positively correlated to other domains, including social well-being and acceptance, participation and physical health, emotional well-being and self-esteem, and family health (r² = 0.150-0.188, P < 0.05). Conclusions: Fine motor functions, including upper-limb speed and dexterity and visual-motor control, were the most important motor factors associated with health-related quality-of-life in ambulatory children with cerebral palsy. Copyright © 2011 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.