Cemil ÖZAL, Eda BURÇ, Özden GÖKÇEK, Mintaze Kerem GÜNEL
Anatolian Current Medical Journal - 2026;8(6):1099-1106
Aims: This study aimed to investigate participation and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Syrian refugee children with cerebral palsy (CP) living in Turkiye and to compare the findings with Turkish children with CP matched for age and gross motor function level. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 25 Syrian refugee children with CP and 25 Turkish children with CP aged 5-18 years. Participation was evaluated using the Child and Adolescent Scale of Participation (CASP), and HRQoL was assessed using the Cerebral Palsy Quality of Life Questionnaire for Children and Teenagers (CP HRQoL-Child&Teen). All children were classified by the Gross Motor Function Classification System. Results: Syrian children with CP demonstrated significantly lower participation levels across all CASP domains compared with Turkish children with CP , including home participation (p=0.004), school participation (p=0.047), community participation (p=0.004), and home/community living activities (p=0.003). The CASP total score was also significantly lower in Syrian children (43.89+/-14.48) compared with Turkish children (59.25+/-19.13; p=0.004). Similarly, Syrian children had significantly lower HRQoL scores in all CP HRQoL domains, including general well-being and participation (p<0.001), communication and physical health (p=0.008), school situation (p=0.002), and social well-being (p=0.001). Conclusion: Syrian refugee children with CP living in Turkiye experience lower participation and HRQoL compared with Turkish children with CP . These findings highlight the influence of migration-related socioeconomic and environmental disadvantages on participation and well-being and emphasize the need for accessible rehabilitation services, inclusive social policies, and culturally sensitive support systems for refugee children with disabilities.
