Evaluation of fine motor function in children with specific learning disorders

Objective: The aim of this study is to examine the effect of fine motor competence, hand and finger grip performance, participation and quality of life of children with Specific Learning Disorder compared to healthy children. Method: The study included 70 children with SLD between the ages of 6-12 who applied to Antalya Training and Research Hospital, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Diseases Polyclinic between April 2022 and June 2023 (mean age = 9.1±2.05 years). 60 healthy children (mean age = 8.9±1.9 years) collected from the researchers' circle were included. Children's fine motor skills were evaluated with the Purdue Pegboard Manual Dexterity test and the Bruininks-Oseretsky Motor Proficiency Test-2 Short Form. Hand and finger grip strength was evaluated with Hydraulic Hand Dynamometer and Pinchmeter. Hand anthropometric measurements were made with the help of a flexible tape measure. Our study also revealed the impact of fine motor skills of children with SLD on their quality of life and participation in daily living activities. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 23. The difference between groups was evaluated with the MANOVA test. The significance level was accepted as p<0.05. Results: There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of age (p=0.714), height (p=0.990) and weight (p=0.414). A significant difference was found in favor of the healthy group in all scale scores of BOT-2 motor skills evaluated between the groups (p<0, 05) There was a significant difference in favor of the healthy group in all subscale scores of the Purdue Pegboard hand dexterity test (Right hand, Left hand, Two Hands, Team Building) (p<0.05). It was determined that grip strength values showed a statistically significant difference between the groups in favor of the healthy group (p<0.05). Conclusion: The fine motor competence and hand grip strength of children with SLD were found to be significantly weaker compared to healthy children. Approaches that support proficiency should be developed.