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. 2017 Mar;21(2):327-335.
doi: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2016.09.003. Epub 2016 Sep 23.

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

Elegast Monbaliu  1 , Paul De Cock  2 , Lisa Mailleux  3 , Bernard Dan  4 , Hilde Feys  5
Affiliations

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

Elegast Monbaliu et al. Eur J Paediatr Neurol. 2017 Mar.

Abstract

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 (rs) 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 (rs) 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 (rs = -0.43; 95%CI = -0.64 to -0.17) and the CP-QOL (rs = -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.

Keywords: Activity; Choreoathetosis; Dyskinetic CP; Dystonia; Participation; Quality of life.

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