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The relationship between motor abilities and quality of life in children with severe multiple disabilities

S M Mensch1,2, M A Echteld3,4, R Lemmens5

  • 1Intellectual Disability Medicine, Department of General Practice, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Journal of Intellectual Disability Research : JIDR
|September 4, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Motor abilities are moderately linked to quality of life in children with severe multiple disabilities. Improved motor skills, assessed by the MOtor eVAluation in Kids with Intellectual and Complex disabilities (Movakic) tool, correlate with better quality of life (QoL-PMD).

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Rehabilitation
  • Disability Studies
  • Quality of Life Research

Background:

  • Children with severe multiple disabilities often face challenges in motor function and overall well-being.
  • Understanding factors influencing quality of life in this population is crucial for targeted interventions.
  • Motor abilities are hypothesized to play a role in the quality of life for children with profound disabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between motor abilities and quality of life in children with severe multiple disabilities.
  • To quantify the association between motor function assessment scores and quality of life measures in this cohort.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 29 children with severe multiple disabilities (IQ < 25, GMFCS level V).
  • Motor abilities were assessed using the MOtor eVAluation in Kids with Intellectual and Complex disabilities (Movakic) questionnaire by physical therapists.
  • Quality of life was evaluated using the Quality of Life-Profound Multiple Disabilities (QoL-PMD) questionnaire completed by parents.

Main Results:

  • A significant moderate to high correlation (r=0.40, P=0.03) was observed between total Movakic and QoL-PMD scores.
  • Higher motor ability scores were associated with a higher reported quality of life.
  • Specific dimensions of quality of life, including Physical Well-Being and Development and Activities, showed significant correlations with motor abilities, even after controlling for GMFCS level.

Conclusions:

  • Motor abilities, as measured by the Movakic, are moderately associated with quality of life in children with severe multiple disabilities.
  • These findings highlight the importance of addressing motor function to enhance the quality of life for this population.
  • The relationship persists even when considering the severity of motor impairment as indicated by the Gross Motor Function Motor Classification System level.
Abstract

Keywords:
Movakiccerebral palsy GMFCS IV-Vmotor abilitiesquality of lifesevere multiple disabilities or profound intellectual and multiple disability

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