Az Gören Çoklu Engelli Çocukların Postür, Yürüyüş, Denge ve Fiziksel Performanslarının Katılıma Olan Etkisinin İncelenmesi

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of posture, gait, balance and physical performance on participation in multiple disabled children with low vision. In this context, 18 children with multiple disabilities and 18 typically developed peers between ages of 6 and 14 were evaluated according to inclusion criteria. “New York Posture Rating Chart” for posture assessment, “Trunk Control Measurement Scale” for balance assessment and also “Two – Minute Walk Test” for physical performance were used. “GAITRite Electronic Walkway” was used for gait assessment, this assessment was done using audible and tactile stimuli separately in multiple disability groups. “Children and Adolescent Scale of Participation” for participation assessment was carried out by children’s parents. When the multiple disability group was compared with the typically developed group, the results of posture (Z=-4.065, p<0.001), balance, physical performance (Z=-4.904, p<0.001), gait and participation assessment were found to be significantly different in favor of typically developed children (p<0.05). For both gait analysis parameters of children with multiple disabilities, it was determined that they had slower velocity, increased base support and shorter step length than their peers. Compared to their typically developed peers, children with multiple disabilities have greater values the coefficient of variance of gait parameters. In addition, it was showed that children with multiple disabilities had a statistically significant relationship with their social participation scores of posture (r=0.44, p=0.034), gait, balance, and physical performance (r=0.699, p=0.001) evaluations (p<0.05). As a result, it was indicated that the compensatory mechanisms developed by children with multiple disabilities due to their sensory and mental disabilities may have an effect on correlations. We think that the results of our study can be a guide for physiotherapists' assessment and treatment approaches for children with multiple disabilities.