Sonja Mensch

112 Chapter 6 ABSTRACT Background: The aim of this study was 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 with severe multiple disabilities (IQ<25, girls 45%, GMFCS V 45%, mean age 9.8 (SD 4.6)) were measured using the questionnaire mo tor e va luation in k ids with i ntellectual and c omplex disabilities (Movakic). Quality of life was measured with the ‘Quality of Life - Profound Multiple Disabilities’ (QoL-PMD) questionnaire. The child’s physical therapist completed Movakic and the parents of the child completed the QoL-PMD. Results: A significantly moderate to high correlation (r = .40, p = .03) was found between the total scores on the Movakic and the QoL-PMD, 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 Movakic and the dimension PhysicalWell-Being, Development, and Activities of the Qol- PMD. Inmultiple linear regressionmodels, all significant bivariate relationships between Movakic total scores and QoL-PMD dimensions remained statistically significant after controlling for GMFCS-level. Conclusions: Motor abilities, measured by Movakic, are moderately related to the quality of life, measured by the QoL-PMD, in children with severe multiple disabilities. Key-words: Severe multiple disabilities or profound intellectual and multiple disability, Motor abilities, Quality of life, Cerebral Palsy GMFCS IV-V, Movakic.