The role of poor motor coordination in predicting adults’ health related quality of life

Background: Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) and its functional restrictions may persist into adulthood. Nevertheless, the knowledge about DCD in adulthood and its association with health related quality of life (HRQOL) is limited. Aims: To explore how individuals with suspected DCD experience DCD impacts as children and as adults and how these experiences predict their HRQOL. Methods: Participants were 200 healthy individuals aged 20−64 (mean 32.66 ± 11.51): 18 with suspected DCD and 182 with normal motor performance (according to the Adult Developmental Coordination Disorder/Dyspraxia, ADC, Checklist cut-off score). Participants completed a sociodemographic/health questionnaire, the ADC and the WHOQOL-BREF which measures physical, psychological, social and environmental HRQOL. Results: The group with suspected DCD had significantly lower HRQOL (except for the physical domain). In the general sample, current feelings about the individual's performance predicted all HRQOL domains. Among the study group, HRQOL was predicted by current perception of performance and difficulties experienced as a child. Conclusions and implications: The negative effects of DCD during childhood and adulthood may reduce adults' HRQOL, mainly in the psycho-social and environmental domains. The detailed profile provided by the ADC with its functional context may assist in evaluating DCD in adults and in tailoring intervention for improving HRQOL.