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

Background This study aimed to determine the relationship between motor abilities and quality of life in children with severe multiple disabilities. Methods In this cross-sectional study, motor abilities of 29 children (mean age 9.8 years; 45% girls) with severe multiple disabilities [IQ <25; Gross Motor Function Motor Classification System level V] were measured with the MOtor eVAluation in Kids with Intellectual and Complex disabilities (Movakic) questionnaire (completed by the child's physical therapist). Quality of life was measured with the Quality of Life-Profound Multiple Disabilities (QoL-PMD) questionnaire (completed by the child's parents). Results A significantly moderate to high correlation was found between the total scores on the Movakic and the QoL-PMD (r = 0.40, P = 0.03), indicating that higher scores in motor abilities are associated with a higher level of quality of life. Furthermore, significantly moderate to high correlations were found between the total score on the Movakic and the dimension Physical Well-Being, Development and Activities of the Qol-PMD. In multiple linear regression models, all significant bivariate relationships between the Movakic total scores and QoL-PMD dimensions remained significant after controlling for the Gross Motor Function Motor Classification System level. Conclusions In these children with severe multiple disabilities, motor abilities (as measured by Movakic) are moderately related to quality of life (as measured by the QoL-PMD).