The impact of posture functional mobility on children with mental retardation

In children with Mental Retardation (MR), there are some deficiencies in the motor development stages, as a result of which posture and functional mobility levels may be affected. Therefore, the aim of our study was to evaluate posture and functional mobility levels in children with MR and to investigate deviations from normal children in the same age group. In our study, between the ages of 6 and 12, the intelligence coefficient (IQ) score was 35-70 and 25 healthy subjects in the same age group with Mild or Moderate MR who were able to take command as cognitive level were included. Posture analysis and functional mobility were evaluated and the results were compared in two groups. In the posture evaluation performed according to Newyork Posture Analysis Method (NYPAY), individuals were evaluated in anterior, lateral and posterior directions and postural changes were detected among individuals with MR and healthy individuals. NYPAY score and functional mobility test scores were statistically different between the two groups (p <0,05). There was no statistically significant difference between male and female gender except postbalance right- eye test on posture and functional mobility tests (p> 0,05). While there was no significant relationship between IQ level and NYPAY score, it was seen that the mean value of NYPAY score was lower in subjects with Moderate MR than in subjects with Mild MR. In the evaluation of functional mobility, it was seen that the individuals with Mild MR completed the test earlier than the ones with Moderate MR and there was a statistically significant difference (p <0,05). The results of our study showed that posture was negatively affected and impaired functional mobility in children with MR. Functional mobility was found to be better than Moderate MR in children with Mild MR. Key words: Mental Retardation, Posture, Functional Mobility