Impact of spasticity intervention on psychometric function and quality of life in children with cerebral palsy

Background: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a non-progressive disruption in the growing fetal or infant brain that affect mobility, posture, and activity. Assessment of the impact of treatment modalities on the short and long term outcome in children with CP is an area of great interest to improve the management strategies in such children. Objective: to evaluate the impact of spasticity intervention therapy on the psychometric function and quality of life (QoL) in children with CP. Patient and Methods: The present study was interventional descriptive cross-sectional study. It was carried on 50 children with documented CP with spasticity. They were selected consecutively from outpatient pediatric neurology clinic of Al-Zahraa university hospital – Al-Azhar University during the period from September 2022 to April 2023. All included children were subjected to detailed history taking, complete physical examination, assessment of Gross Motor Functional Classification System (GMFCS), Assessment of spasticity severity grade using modified Ashworth scale, Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale (VABSA) and Health-related QoL (HR-QoL) assessment using the Pediatric Quality of Life (PedSQL). Results: All CP children received medication baclofen and physiotherapy. In addition 24 children received also botox injection (52%) and 4 children made surgery (8%) including selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) and orthopedic procedures (Tendon lengthening). There was statistically significant improved in GMFCS, PedSQL scale and VABSA score after than before intervention in spastic CP children. Conclusion: Spasticity intervention therapy is associated with better outcomes on the psychometric function and quality of life in children with CP.