The Prevalence, Distribution, and Effect of Pain Among Adolescents with Cerebral Palsy

Purpose: To describe the prevalence, distribution, and intensity of pain and determine the relationship between pain intensity and effect on daily activities in adolescents with cerebral palsy. Methods: A sample of 104 girls and 126 boys, mean ages 14.7 (SD = 1.7) and 14.8 (SD = 1.7) years, were asked "Have you experienced physical pain in the past month?" Results: Sixty-four percent of girls and 50% of boys reported pain. Pain was most frequent in the feet and ankles, knees, and lower back of girls and boys at Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I to IV. Foot and ankle and knee pain were also frequent at level V. The Spearman rho value between intensity and effect on daily activities was 0.75 (p < 0.01) and 0.82 (p < 0.01) for girls and boys. Conclusions: The high prevalence of pain and its effect on daily activities suggests a need for greater focus on health promotion. (Pediatr Phys Ther 2010; 22: 26-33)