The influence of participation in leisure activities on quality of life in Spanish children and adolescents with Cerebral Palsy

Participation is an important modifiable quality of life (QOL) determinant and a key outcome measure. The aim of this study was to confirm if participation in leisure activities affects the QOL domains in children and adolescents with Cerebral Palsy (CP) in Spain. A total of 206 children and adolescents with CP (and their parents), 115 boys and 91 girls, mean age of 11.96 years (SD = 3.00; range 8-18 years) participated in the study. Distribution according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) was 24.3% Level I, 18% Level II, 18% Level III, 12.6% Level IV, and 27.2% Level V. Participation in leisure activities was assessed using the Spanish version of Children's Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment (CAPE) and QOL using the KIDSCREEN parents' version. Diversity, intensity and enjoyment of participation explained the levels of QOL in the Physical well-being, Psychological well-being, Autonomy, Parent relation & home life and Social support & peers domains, independently of gender, age and level of impairment (motor and intellectual). We also found that intensity and enjoyment of participation in informal activities had more influence on the different QOL domains. The most influenced domain by the enjoyment of participation in all domains and types of CAPE activities was Psychological well-being. The participation in leisure activities had a positive effect on the QOL of the Spanish children and adolescents with CP.