Correlation of Musculoskeletal Pain with Quality of Life in Adolescents with Cerebral Palsy

Vyas N, Engineer P M and Diwan S

Published on: 2019-09-10

Abstract

Pain is the “personal, sensory, emotional and contextual nature” of pain, relying on one’s ability to communicate this experience by 18 months of age. Pain is a recognized issue or secondary impairment in persons with cerebral palsy starting in childhood, persisting throughout adolescence and into adulthood. In CP, muscle overuse, strain caused by involuntary movements, immobilization, and atypical joint compression from the imbalance of muscle activation across joints are all recognized as potential etiological factors of nociceptive pain. Musculoskeletal pain has an impact on general activity, sleep, and walking. CP patient have difficulty in performing his/her daily activity because of musculoskeletal pain and that may reduce the quality of activity.

Keywords

Cerebral palsy; Adolescent; Physical activity

Introduction

Aim: The aim of this study is to correlate the effect of musculoskeletal pain on quality of life in adolescents with cerebral palsy.

Methodology

Study design: An observational study Outcome measure: The McGill Pain Questionnaire, Quality of Life Questionnaire for Adolescent (CP QOL).
Inclusion criteria:
• Diagnosed case of Cerebral palsy
• 18 - 24 years of age
• Pt. Having musculoskeletal pain
• Pt. is verbal
Exclusion criteria: Autism, MR, ADHD, LD, Impaired cognition

Methods

Subjects who fulfill the inclusion criteria were taken up for the study & a written consent form of all patients’ parents was taken. Ethical Approval was taken from The McGill Pain Questionnaire and CP QOL was administer to the patients in the presence of parents.

Results

Result is prepared from the available data. Correlation between Mc Gill Pain Questionnaire & CP QOL was (r = 0.671 & p < 0.001) obtained using spearman’s test.

Conclusion

The result of study suggestive of moderate correlation between musculoskeletal pain & QOL in adolescents with CP.