Quality of life, physical activity, and social determinants in teenagers with cerebral palsy: a cross-sectional study in SwedenShow others and affiliations
2025 (English)In: Disability and Health Journal, ISSN 1936-6574, E-ISSN 1876-7583, article id 101785Article in journal (Refereed) Epub ahead of print
Abstract [en]
Background: The associations between physical activity and various social determinants with quality of life (QoL) among teenagers with cerebral palsy (CP) are inconclusive.
Objective: To explore associations between perceived QoL among teenagers with CP in Sweden and participation in physical leisure activity and physical education in school, as well as sex, gross motor function, pain and bother, caregivers’ birth country and socioeconomic status.
Methods: A cross-sectional study with teenagers who have CP, aged 15–18 years. The survey, including the assessment form Cerebral Palsy Quality of Life-teenager (CP QoL-teen), was sent to all youths in the national patient registry held by the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare (n = 900). Survey data was complemented with data from other national health registries containing information on demographics, physical leisure activity, physical education, and gross motor function. Multivariable linear- and quantile regression analyses were performed.
Results: The survey was answered by 149 participants. Physical leisure activity was positively associated with the QoL-domain Communication and physical health. Gross motor function was associated with domains referring to physical function and participation; more severe motor difficulties indicated lower QoL. Pain was negatively associated with all QoL domains. Low caregiver educational levels were associated with higher social well-being domain.
Conclusion: Minimizing pain and facilitating physical activity may enhance QoL for teenagers who have CP. To improve participation for teenagers with severe disabilities, with non-Nordic caregivers, and caregivers without postgraduate education, targeted measures to facilitate participation are needed.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Elsevier, 2025. article id 101785
Keywords [en]
Cerebral palsy, Educational level, Leisure, Pain, Physical education, Quality of life
National Category
Epidemiology Public Health, Global Health and Social Medicine
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-235848DOI: 10.1016/j.dhjo.2025.101785Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85217933203OAI: oai:DiVA.org:umu-235848DiVA, id: diva2:1939937
Funder
Stiftelsen drottning Silvias jubileumsfond2025-02-252025-02-252025-02-25