Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 49(3): pp. 225-231.This review describes trends in quality of life (QOL) and
health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among adolescents
with cerebral palsy (CP). Twenty original articles were
identified by a structured search of multiple databases and
grouped by design. Categories included descriptive crosssectional
studies (n=8), measurement validation studies
(n=9), and exploratory qualitative studies (n=3). Several
trends were apparent. First, individuals with CP are reported
to have decreased QOL and HRQOL compared with a
normative population in some but not all areas of well-being.
Second, functional status measures such as the Gross Motor
Function Classification System are reliable indicators of
variations in physical function, but do not correlate
consistently with psychosocial well-being. Third, although
adolescents with CP have different life issues than adults or
children, limited research on factors associated with QOL and
HRQOL has been described for this age range. We
recommend that clinicians and researchers interested in
assessing well-being among adolescents with CP include
participants from across the spectrum of motor impairment,
allow adolescents to self-report whenever possible, and assess
adolescents independently, rather than including them with
individuals from other age groups or clinical populations