COMPARISON OF MOTOR PERFORMANCE BETWEEN CHILDREN WITH MULTIPLE DISABILITIES AND TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT

Purpose: Individuals with multiple disabilities have two or more disabilities at the same time, and these impairments can cause qualitatively and quantitatively insufficient motor performance. This study aimed to compare the motor performance of children with multiple disabilities to children with typical development.Methods: This prospective study included 26 children with multiple disabilities who had visual impairment according to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems: 11th Revision, and 20 children with typical development. The Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency Second Edition Short Form was used to examine motor proficiency. A standard hand dynamometer and pinchmeter were used to assess hand and finger grip strength. The Nine-Hole Peg Test was used to evaluate performance-based hand functions.Results: Children with multiple disabilities had lower scores for balance control (p<0.001), running speed agility (p<0.001), shoulder and arm strength (p=0.042), and abdominal strength (p=0.007). Hand grip strength scores for the dominant (p=0.006) and non-dominant hands (p=0.008) were significantly lower compared to children with typical development. Dominant hand placing (p=0.026) and removing (p=0.035) times were longer for children with multiple disabilities compared to the corresponding times for the children with typical development.Conclusion: Data obtained from the current study reveal that children with multiple disabilities have poorer motor proficiency, grip strength, and hand functions compared to children with typical development. Inadequacy of visual input in addition to their existing disabilities may cause insufficient motor performance in children with multiple disabilities.