Introduction :
Pain is a prevalent but underexplored factor affecting functional independence and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in individuals with cerebral palsy (CP). While previous studies have investigated the impact of pain severity, the role of pain location—upper versus lower body—on daily function remains unclear. Clarifying these differences is essential for guiding targeted interventions that support independence and well-being.
Objectives:
This study aims to (1) examine the association between pain location and functional limitations in adolescents and young adults with CP and (2) identify demographic and clinical predictors of pain severity.
Methods :
A cross-sectional study was conducted with 47 individuals with CP (18–40 years, GMFCS I–III). Participants self-reported pain location and completed the Care and Comfort Hypertonicity Questionnaire (CCHQ) and CPQOL-Teen. Functional limitations were assessed using CCHQ subscales. Group comparisons were performed using independent t-tests, and structural equation modeling (SEM) was applied to evaluate predictors of pain severity.
Results :
Upper body pain was associated with significantly greater difficulty in personal care tasks (p = 0.016), while no significant differences were observed in positioning, transferring, or caregiver-reported comfort. SEM identified age (β = 0.104, p = 0.044) and caregiver-reported comfort (β = 0.227, p = 0.007) as predictors of pain severity. These findings emphasize the importance of age-sensitive and pain-location-specific interventions to support functional independence and improve HRQoL.
Conclusion:
This study underscores the importance of considering pain location in rehabilitation strategies for individuals with CP. Occupational therapists can use these insights to tailor interventions that enhance functional independence. Future research should investigate longitudinal trends, efficacy to further inform evidence-based practice.