Parental Assessment of Quality of Life and Activities of Daily Living in Preschool Children with Motor Coordination Difficulties: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract This cross-sectional study explored the relationship between motor performance, activities of daily living (ADLs), and quality of life (QOL) in preschool children with and without motor coordination difficulties. Forty-one children aged 3 to 6 years attending a developmental support class in Japan, were assessed using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 (MABC-2), the Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM), and the Kiddy-KINDL-R Parent version. Participants were divided into two groups based on MABC-2 scores: children with motor clumsiness (MC group, n = 23) and those without (NMC group, n = 18). The Mann–Whitney U test revealed that the MC group had significantly lower motor and cognitive ADL performance and poorer peer relationship quality compared to the NMC group. However, no significant differences were found in other QOL domains. Binary logistic regression showed a significant positive association between motor performance and the Friends QOL domain, suggesting that better motor skills may contribute to higher-quality peer relationships. ADLs did not show a significant relationship with any QOL subdomains. These findings highlight the importance of assessing motor performance and ADLs to guide interventions, especially those promoting social participation, to enhance the overall well-being and QOL of children with motor coordination difficulties.