The effect of balance and hand skills on activities of daily living in children with mental retardation.

This study was done to evaluate balance, fine hand skills, hand grip strengths in children with mental retardation (MR) and to assess the effect of these factors on activities of daily living (ADL). Twenty children with MR (mean age 11.40±2.46 years) and 20 healthy children (mean age 11.40±2.46 years) participated in this study. Balance was evaluated with single leg balance test, fine hand skills were evaluated with Modified Nine Hole Peg Test and Modified Jebsen Hand Function Test, grip strengths were evaluated with dynamometer and pinchmeter, ADL were assessed with WeeFIM in all subjects, and the results were compared between two groups. As compared with healthy children, the average left palmar grip strength scores and the average time of left single teg balance test with the eyes open were found lower and test finish time for most subtests of the MNHPT and MJHFT were found longer in children with MR. Self-care and mobility scores of motor area and communication and social cognition scores of cognitive area of WeeFIM were found statistically significantly different between two groups (p<0.05) and these scores were found greater in healty children. Difference between two groups in general motor, general cognitive and total WeeFIM scores were found statistically significant in favor of healty childrens (p<0.05). Between general motor score in WeeFIM and single leg balance test were found statistically significant and positive correlation, between general motor score in WeeFIM and hand function tests were found statistically significant and negative correlation. (p<0.05). In conclusion, developmental balance and hand skills studies should be in rehabilitation programs of children with MR and increasing independence in ADL and acquiring a profession in the future have been as a purpose with these studies. Here it is, physical therapists and occupational therapists? role are very important.