Abstract

Study was conducted to investigate motor performance and attention levels of children who had experienced post-acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. The study included children aged 6-14 years who were diagnosed with post-acute COVID-19 at least four weeks prior and had no history of orthopedic or neurological conditions (Group I). A control group (Group II), composed of children in the same age range, had never been diagnosed with COVID-19 and had no familial history of the virus, nor any orthopedic or neurological disorders. Demographic information for both groups was collected using a descriptive questionnaire. Motor performance was assessed through Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), Stair Climbing Test (SCT), while attention was measured using Conners' Parent Rating Scale-Revised, Short Form (CPRS-R:S). Difference in the CPRS-R:S scores of the participants based on their post-acute COVID-19 infection status was found statistically significant (p0.05). Accordingly, children who recover from post-acute COVID-19 would have a CPRS-R:S score 0.955 times as high as the score of those who have not had COVID-19 (OR= 0.955, 95% CI 0.919-0.993). The attention levels of children diagnosed with post-acute COVID-19 are affected negatively, considering relationship between attention and motor performance, it is needed to assess children holistically.

Key words: Attention, child, motor performance, post-acute COVID-19