Relationship between upper extremity function and quality of life in the children with spastic cerebral palsy in Tehran 2013

Regarding the prevalence of upper extremity disorders in cerebral palsy and its importance in educational performance and participation in daily life activities of children، upper extremity function could hold an essential role in quality of life. So this study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between upper extremity function and quality of life in the children with spastic cerebral palsy which referred to medical centers in Tehran in 2013. In this cross-sectional study، 50 children with spastic cerebral palsy were chosen by stratified sampling method from Roshd Occupational Therapy Center in Tehran، in 2013. The “quality of the upper extremity skills” test was performed by the evaluator and “the quality of life questionnaire for children with cerebral palsy” was completed by the parents. Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis were used in order to analyze the gained data by SPSS version 19 software. The results indicated that there is a significant relation between upper extremity factors and all criteria. Regression analyze showed that 35% of variance of the welfare and social acceptance criteria (P<0. 001)، 53% of participation and physical health criteria (P<0. 001)، 41% of function criteria (P<0. 01)، 28% of emotional welfare criteria (P<0. 001)، 29% of pain criteria and dissatisfaction with disability (P<0. 001) is explained by factors of upper extremity function، respectively. Our study states that having high level of upper extremity function is equal to higher level of quality of life and its scope. Therefore، in order to improve the upper extremity function، by programming and clinical reasoning، it is possible to promote the quality of life in spastic cerebral children.