# Motor Function Profiling and Its Impact on Health-Related Quality of Life in Childhood Stroke Survivors

## TL;DR

This study shows that motor impairments in childhood stroke survivors significantly impact their overall and psychosocial quality of life.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific motor domains most strongly linked to quality of life in childhood stroke survivors.

## Key findings

- Over 80% of childhood stroke survivors showed below-average manual coordination.
- Motor strength/agility correlated most with overall and physical quality of life.
- Manual coordination was most strongly linked to psychosocial functioning.

## Abstract

To profile motor function in childhood stroke survivors and examine the association between motor deficits and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in this population.

Cross-sectional.

Pediatric neurology and rehabilitation clinic.

Twenty-four childhood stroke survivors (N=24) (9 girls; mean age at assessment=13.3±3.5y).

Not applicable.

The presence of motor deficits was defined as a below-average standard score (≤40) on a comprehensive measure of motor skills, the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, second edition. HRQoL was evaluated using the Pediatric Quality of Life (PedsQL) Generic Core Scales.

Over 80% of childhood stroke survivors demonstrated below-average manual coordination, with over half of them showing deficits in both overall motor performance (62.5%) and fine manual control (54.2%). On the PedsQL, participants scored significantly lower on total (t=−2.9, P=.010, adjusted false discovery rate (FDR-adj.) P=.015) and psychosocial functioning (t=−3.4, P=.004, FDR-adj. P=.012). The motor domain significantly correlated with HRQoL: strength/agility showed the highest association with PedsQL total (r=.87, P<.001) and physical scores (r=.84, P=.002), whereas manual coordination correlated most strongly with psychosocial functioning (r=.88, P<.001).

Motor impairments, especially in manual coordination and strength/agility, significantly affect quality of life after childhood stroke, warranting focused rehabilitation strategies.