This study represents one of very few examinations of
the stability of CHQ scores longitudinally. In analyzing
group results, children did not change significantly over
time on Physical summary scores of the CHQ. Psychosocial
summary scores changed significantly over the study period
of 18 months, but these changes were small and not likely
to be of substantial clinical importance. Vargus-Adams [22]
also found no significant changes in CHQ physical HRQoL
for children with cerebral palsy over a one-year time period.
In a sample of children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
and juvenile spondyloarthropathy, Selvaag et al. [24] recorded
significant improvements in health related quality
of life, except for pain, over a 3-year period. These findings
may be different because they are the result of an arthritis
intervention study rather than an examination of naturalistic
stability. The sample in this current study has predominantly
central nervous system-based physical disabilities so it
is not surprising that the results are more similar to the
findings of Vargus-Adams [22].