This scoping review aimed to synthetize personal and environmental facilitators and barriers to participation in physical activities among youths living with cerebral palsy.A systematic literature ...

Children with unilateral cerebral palsy (uCP) experience pronounced sensorimotor impairments on one side of the body, impacting upper limb (UL) use and leisure participation. This study compares UL performance in children with uCP and typically developing (TD) children and examines, within the uCP group, the association between UL capacity, UL performance, and leisure participation. Twenty-one children with uCP (age: 11.2 ± 1.8 years) and 30 TD children (age: 10.6 ± 2.1 years) were recruited. UL performance was measured using accelerometry and expressed in activity counts per minute, UL capacity with the Jebsen–Taylor Hand Function Test, and leisure participation with the Children’s Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment questionnaire. The uCP group showed markedly lower performance in their non-dominant side compared to the TD group (p < 0.001, ηp² = 0.57), while dominant-side performance showed no significant difference between groups. UL capacity, UL performance, and leisure participation were not correlated (r range: −0.06–0.20). Children with uCP remained active despite UL asymmetry. The lack of significant association between UL capacity, performance, and participation may reflect contextual factors. These findings highlight the importance of complementing accelerometry with measures capturing other dimensions of motor function (e.g., fine motor skills) for a more comprehensive assessment of real-world UL performance.

Background: Cerebral palsy (CP) represents the most common and disabling motor disorder in childhood. It can lead to chronic pain and reduced quality of life (QOL). These challenges can also affect mothers, who are typically the primary caregivers, contributing to physical and psychosocial strain.Objectives: This study explored the associations between motor impairment, chronic pain, and QOL in children with CP, as well as maternal stress and pain intensity, and examined their mediating roles.Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 132 mother–child dyads in Tunisia. Children were aged 4 to 12 years. The Gross Motor Function Classification System, the Cerebral Palsy Quality of Life Questionnaire, the Visual Analogue Scale, and the Perceived Stress Scale were used to assess motor impairment, quality of life, and chronic pain intensity in children with CP, as well as maternal pain intensity and stress.Results: Motor impairment was significantly associated with lower child QOL (β = −0.671; SE = 0.657, p 0.001) and higher pain intensity (β = 0.5; SE = 1.213, p 0.001). Maternal stress partially mediated the relationship between motor impairment and child QOL (Sobel test = −4.073; p 0.001). Maternal pain also partially mediated the relationship between motor impairment and child pain (Sobel test = 2.505; p = 0.012).Conclusion: These findings highlight the significant impact of motor impairment on QOL and chronic pain intensity in children with CP.Contribution: This study emphasises the mediating roles of maternal stress and pain intensity, suggesting that interventions should address both the physical symptoms of CP and the psychosocial well-being of children and their mothers.