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Motor Problems in Childhood Developmental Disorders

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A special issue of Children (ISSN 2227-9067).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 August 2021) | Viewed by 18911

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Special Issue Editor

Prof. Hilde Van Waelvelde

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Gent University, Gent, Belgium
Interests: developmental coordination disorder

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

I would like to invite you to contribute to this Special Issue on Motor Problems in Childhood Developmental Disorders. The aim is to collect articles focusing (1) on developmental coordination disorder and (2) on the frequently “forgotten” motor component in autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and intellectual disability.

This Issue could illustrate the overlap between disorders, the underlying mechanisms, as well as the link between the sensory and cognitive problems in these disorders. The importance of executive function deficits is another important aspect. Clinically relevant articles on motor assessment and therapy are also very welcome. Secondary problems such as low self-esteem, obesity, and psychiatric problems such as anxiety and depression could be elaborated. Finally, the problem of participation related to motor deficits is also of interest.

In addition to qualitative and quantitative research, review articles are welcome.

Prof. Hilde Van Waelvelde
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Children is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

developmental coordination disorder
motor skill disorder
autism spectrum disorder
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
intellectual disability

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 740 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Developmental Coordination Disorder before the Age of Three: A Longitudinal Retrospective Study in a Belgian Center for Developmental Disabilities

by Nina Vens, Griet Dewitte, Hilde Van Waelvelde, Lynn Bar-On and Amy De Roubaix

Children 2022, 9(3), 334; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/children9030334 - 02 Mar 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1669

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the association between developmental coordination disorder (DCD) diagnosed after the age of three and both a standardized motor test—the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS)—and non-standardized observation of movement quality carried out before the age of three. Children at risk or with developmental concerns were studied retrospectively. Children were excluded in case of a diagnosis, excluding DCD, e.g., cerebral palsy, or IQ < 70. Of the 503 included children, 246 were diagnosed with (at-risk) DCD. Multivariate binary logistic regression revealed a significant association between DCD diagnosis after the age of three and male gender and with different aspects of poor movement quality in different age groups before the age three. Univariate analyses revealed an association between DCD diagnosis and the number of poor movement-quality descriptions at 0–6 months, 6–12 months, and 18 months–3 years but not with the AIMS scores. The MABC-2 scores after the age of three were significantly correlated with the number of poor movement-quality descriptions in age groups 0–6 months and 18 months–3 years and with the AIMS scores in age groups 6–12 months and 12–18 months. The results suggest that DCD can be associated with poor movement quality before the age of three. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Motor Problems in Childhood Developmental Disorders)

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10 pages, 297 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Developmental Coordination Disorder, Motor Performance, and Daily Participation in Children with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder

by Rebeca Montes-Montes, Laura Delgado-Lobete and Sara Rodríguez-Seoane

Children 2021, 8(3), 187; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/children8030187 - 01 Mar 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3202

Abstract

Children with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) often present with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) or motor coordination problems that further impact their daily functioning. However, little is known about the prevalence of co-occurring DCD and ADHD in the Spanish context, and research about the impact of ADHD on performance and participation in motor-based activities of daily living (ADL) is scarce. The aims of this study were to explore the prevalence of co-occurring DCD in children with ADHD, and to examine differences in performance and participation in motor-based ADL between children with ADHD and typically developing children. We conducted a case-control study including 20 children with ADHD and 40 typically developing controls randomly matched for exact age and sex (males = 80%; mean age = 8, 9 (2, 3) years). Presence of probable DCD (p-DCD) was confirmed with the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (DCDQ). The DCDDaily-Q was administered to assess performance and participation in ADL. A 75% prevalence of p-DCD was found in the ADHD group (OR = 27; p < 0.001). Children with ADHD showed poorer motor performance and less participation in ADL (p < 0.01; d = 0.9–1.4). These findings contribute to understand the functional consequences of ADHD in motor-based ADL and its relationship with DCD. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Motor Problems in Childhood Developmental Disorders)

10 pages, 707 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Relative Merits of an Individualized Versus a Generic Approach to Rating Functional Performance in Childhood Dystonia

by Hortensia Gimeno, Jessica Farber, Jessica Thornton and Helene Polatajko

Children 2021, 8(1), 7; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/children8010007 - 25 Dec 2020

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1627

Abstract

Aims. The Performance Quality Rating Scale (PQRS) is an observational measure that captures performance at the level of activity and participation. Developed for use with the Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP), it is a highly individualized approach to measurement. CO-OP is currently being studied in childhood-onset hyperkinetic movement disorders (HMD) and deep brain stimulation. The purpose of this study was to compare two different approaches to rating performance, generic (PQRS-G) and individualized (PQRS-I), for children with childhood-onset hyperkinetic movement disorders (HMD) including dystonia. Method. Videotaped activity performances, pre and post intervention were independently scored by two blind raters using PQRS-G PQRS-I. Results were examined to determine if the measures identified differences in e performance on goals chosen by the participants and on change scores after intervention. Dependent t-tests were used to compare performance and change scores. Results. The two approaches to rating both have moderate correlations (all data: 0.764; baseline: 0.677; post-intervention: 0.725) and yielded some different results in capturing performance. There was a significant difference in scores at pre-intervention between the two approaches to rating, even though post-intervention score mean difference was not significantly different. The PQRS-I had a wider score range, capturing wider performance differences, and greater change between baseline and post-intervention performances for children and young people with dystonic movement. Conclusions. Best practice in rehabilitation requires the use of outcome measures that optimally captures performance and performance change for children and young people with dystonic movement. When working with clients with severe motor-performance deficits, PQRS-I appears to be the better approach to capturing performance and performance changes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Motor Problems in Childhood Developmental Disorders)

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18 pages, 1276 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Compressive Garments in Individuals with Autism and Severe Proprioceptive Dysfunction: A Retrospective Exploratory Case Series

by Vincent Guinchat, Elodie Vlamynck, Lautaro Diaz, Coralie Chambon, Justine Pouzenc, Cora Cravero, Carolina Baeza-Velasco, Claude Hamonet, Jean Xavier and David Cohen

Children 2020, 7(7), 77; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/children7070077 - 13 Jul 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 7632

Abstract

(1) Background: Compression garments (CGs) are an adjuvant treatment for generalized joint hypermobility (GJH), including the Ehlers–Danlos syndrome/hypermobility types. The effects of CGs are likely to be related to better proprioceptive control. We aimed to explore the use of CGs in individuals with autism and severe proprioceptive dysfunction (SPD), including individuals with GJH, to control posture and challenging behaviors. (2) Methods: We retrospectively described 14 patients with autism and SPD, including seven with comorbid GJH, who were hospitalized for major challenging behaviors with remaining behavioral symptomatology after the implementation of multidisciplinary approaches, including medication, treatment of organic comorbidities, and behavioral restructuring. Each patient received a CG to wear for at least 1 h (but most often longer) per day for six weeks. We assessed challenging behaviors in these participants with the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC), sensory integration with the Dunn questionnaire, and postural sway and motor performance using a self-designed motricity path at baseline, two weeks, and six weeks. (3) Results: We observed a significant effect on most ABC rating scores at two weeks, which persisted at six weeks (total score, p = 0.004; irritability, p = 0.007; hyperactivity, p = 0.001; lethargy, p = 0.001). Postural control in dorsal and profile positions was significantly improved between before and after wearing the CGs (p = 0.006 and 0.007, respectively). Motor performance was also significantly improved. However, we did not observe a significant change in Dunn sensory scores. During the six-week duration, the treatment was generally well-tolerated. A comorbid GJH diagnosis was not associated with a better outcome. (4) Conclusions: CGs appear to be a promising adjuvant treatment for both behavioral and postural impairments in individuals with autism and SPD. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Motor Problems in Childhood Developmental Disorders)

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Review

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21 pages, 1011 KiB

Open AccessReview

Effects of Ankle Foot Orthoses on the Gait Patterns in Children with Spastic Bilateral Cerebral Palsy: A Scoping Review

by Diogo Ricardo, Maria Raquel Raposo, Eduardo Brazete Cruz, Raul Oliveira, Filomena Carnide, António Prieto Veloso and Filipa João

Children 2021, 8(10), 903; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/children8100903 - 10 Oct 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3895

Abstract

Background: Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common cause of motor disability in children and can cause severe gait deviations. The sagittal gait patterns classification for children with bilateral CP is an important guideline for the planning of the rehabilitation process. Ankle foot orthoses should improve the biomechanical parameters of pathological gait in the sagittal plane. Methods: A systematic search of the literature was conducted to identify randomized controlled trials (RCT) and controlled clinical trials (CCT) which measured the effect of ankle foot orthoses (AFO) on the gait of children with spastic bilateral CP, with kinetic, kinematic, and functional outcomes. Five databases (Pubmed, Scopus, ISI Web of SCIENCE, SciELO, and Cochrane Library) were searched before February 2020. The PEDro Score was used to assess the methodological quality of the selected studies and alignment with the Cochrane approach was also reviewed. Prospero registration number: CRD42018102670. Results: We included 10 studies considering a total of 285 children with spastic bilateral CP. None of the studies had a PEDro score below 4/10, including five RCTs. We identified five different types of AFO (solid; dynamic; hinged; ground reaction; posterior leaf spring) used across all studies. Only two studies referred to a classification for gait patterns. Across the different outcomes, significant differences were found in walking speed, stride length and cadence, range of motion, ground force reaction and joint moments, as well as functional scores, while wearing AFO. Conclusions: Overall, the use of AFO in children with spastic bilateral CP minimizes the impact of pathological gait, consistently improving some kinematic, kinetic, and spatial-temporal parameters, and making their gait closer to that of typically developing children. Creating a standardized protocol for future studies involving AFO would facilitate the reporting of new scientific data and help clinicians use their clinical reasoning skills to recommend the best AFO for their patients. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Motor Problems in Childhood Developmental Disorders)

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