Activities of daily living in children with hemiparesis: Influence of cognitive functions and motor competence on quality of performance

Aims: It is known that singular body functions, for example, tone, influence the quality of activities of daily living (ADL) performance in children with unilateral paresis. In adult patients, there is a variety of factors such as cognition and motor functions that have an impact on ADL. To date, it is not known how different factors may influence the quality of ADL performance in children with hemiparesis.

This study will determine the influence of cognitive functions and motor competence on the quality of ADL performance in children with hemiparesis.

Methods: A total of 19 children with hemiparesis (aged 6 to 12, average age 10.3 ± 1.6 years) were tested with AHA and Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC IV). The impact of test results (AHA and WISC) on the quality of ADL (measured via APMS) was analyzed.

Result: A significant correlation between motor competence and motor scale of quality of performance (R = 0.438, p = 0.033) as well as between processing speed and process skills of performance quality (R = 0.43, p = 0.033) was found. Using a multivariate linear model, the following results can be deduced: The IQ (measured with the WISC) has a significant impact on process-related skills (AMPS) with a sum square of 0.937 (p = 0.017). The AHA has a significant impact on motor skills with a sum square of 0.84 (p = 0.004).

Conclusion: It is possible to represent a relationship between motor competence and quality of ADL performance. The trend of this model indicates that motor competence and cognitive skills have a similarly strong effect on the quality of ADL performance in children with hemiparesis. Therefore, both factors should be kept in mind when choosing a therapy and during therapy sessions for children with hemiparesis.