scholarly journals Identifying Developmental Motor Difficulties: A Review of Tests to Assess Motor Coordination in Children

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alice Cancer ◽  
Rebecca Minoliti ◽  
Maura Crepaldi ◽  
Alessandro Antonietti
Keyword(s):  
Motor Coordination ◽  
Developmental Coordination Disorder ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Childhood And Adolescence ◽  
Assessment Procedure ◽  
Motor Impairments ◽  
Motor Tests ◽  
Motor Difficulties ◽  
Developmental Norms

The latest guidelines recommend early identification of children with motor impairments using a standardized norm-referenced test. Motor coordination difficulties in developmental age have been studied extensively over recent years, with experimental literature on developmental coordination disorder (DCD) suggesting that motor proficiency assessments depend on the nature of the task at hand. In this article we reviewed 14 assessment tools to measure movement performance in childhood and adolescence, which are often referred to in an international context. This updated review aims to compare motor tests depending on a) the nature of the tasks included in the battery (i.e., questionnaire and clinical examination), b) psychometric properties, and c) cultural adaptation to relevant developmental norms. Finally, implications for diagnosis and clinical practice are discussed. Considering there are several tests used for DCD, it is important to better define their reliability and validity in different cultures in order to better compare the validation studies and select the most appropriate test to use in the assessment procedure.

scholarly journals An Instrumented Assessment of a Rhythmic Finger Task among Children with Motor Coordination Difficulties

Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (16) ◽  
pp. 4554
Author(s):  
Artal Keinan ◽  
Tami Bar-Shalita ◽  
Sigal Portnoy
Keyword(s):  
Motor Performance ◽  
Motor Coordination ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Objective Measure ◽  
Movement Pattern ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Dominant Hand ◽  
Performance Tests ◽  
Motor Difficulties

Background: Coordination is crucial for motor function, yet objective clinical evaluations are limited. We therefore developed and tested the reliability and validity of a low-cost sensorized evaluation of a rhythmic finger task. Methods: Children with coordination difficulties (n = 24) and typically developing children (n = 24) aged from 5 to 7 years performed the Sensorized Finger Sequencing Test (SFST), a finger sequencing test that records the correct sequence, total time, and the standard deviation (SD) of touch time. Additionally, motor performance tests and parents’ reports were applied in order to test the reliability and validity of the SFST. Results: The study group had significantly greater thumb-finger test scores—total time in the dominant hand (p = 0.035) and the SD of the touch time in both dominant (p = 0.036) and non-dominant (p = 0.032) hands. Motor performance tests were not correlated with the SFST. Test–retest reliability in 10 healthy children was found for the SD of touch time in the dominant hand (r = 0.87, p = 0.003). Conclusions: The SFST was successful in assessing the movement pattern variability reported in children with motor difficulties. This exploratory study indicates that the low-cost SFST could be utilized as an objective measure for the assessment of proprioception components, which currently are overlooked by standardized motor performance assessments.

scholarly journals Digital Competence Assessment Methods in Higher Education: A Systematic Literature Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 402
Author(s):  
Linda Helene Sillat ◽  
Kairit Tammets ◽  
Mart Laanpere
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Systematic Literature Review ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Competence Assessment ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Digital Competence ◽  
Need To Evaluate ◽  
Assessment In Higher Education

The rapid increase in recent years in the number of different digital competency frameworks, models, and strategies has prompted an increasing popularity for making the argument in favor of the need to evaluate and assess digital competence. To support the process of digital competence assessment, it is consequently necessary to understand the different approaches and methods. This paper carries out a systematic literature review and includes an analysis of the existing proposals and conceptions of digital competence assessment processes and methods in higher education, with the aim of better understanding the field of research. The review follows three objectives: (i) describe the characteristics of digital competence assessment processes and methods in higher education; (ii) provide an overview of current trends; and, finally, (iii) identify challenges and issues in digital competence assessment in higher education with a focus on the reliability and validity of the proposed methods. On the basis of the findings, and as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, digital competence assessment in higher education requires more attention, with a specific focus on instrument validity and reliability. Furthermore, it will be of great importance to further investigate the use of assessment tools to support systematic digital competence assessment processes. The analysis includes possible opportunities and ideas for future lines of work in digital competence evaluation in higher education.

Developmental coordination disorder is more than a motor problem: Children describe the impact of daily struggles on their quality of life

2017 ◽  
Vol 81 (2) ◽  
pp. 65-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jill G Zwicker ◽  
Melinda Suto ◽  
Susan R Harris ◽  
Nikol Vlasakova ◽  
Cheryl Missiuna
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Motor Coordination ◽  
Developmental Coordination Disorder ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽  
Emotional Impact ◽  
Qualitative Researcher ◽  
Motor Problem ◽  
Coordination Disorder ◽  
The Impact

Introduction Affecting 5–6% of children, developmental coordination disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by poor motor coordination and difficulty learning motor skills. Although quantitative studies have suggested that children with developmental coordination disorder experience reduced quality of life, no known qualitative studies have reported what daily life is like from their perspective. Method Guided by an inductive realistic approach and using semi-structured, individual interviews, 13 children (8–12 years) were asked to describe what life is like in their own words. Three researchers coded interviews manually to identify relevant content. An experienced qualitative researcher conducted a second, in-depth thematic analysis using NVivo to identify patterns and themes. Findings Two themes – milestones as millstones and the perils of printing – illuminated participants’ challenges in completing everyday activities at home and at school. The third theme – more than a motor problem – revealed the social and emotional impact of these struggles and from being excluded from play. The fourth theme – coping strategies – described their efforts to be resilient. Conclusion Parents, educators, physicians, and therapists working with children with developmental coordination disorder must recognize how their quality of life is affected by the physical and emotional toll of their efforts to participate successfully in daily activities.

Language and Motor Findings in Benign Megalencephaly

1989 ◽  
Vol 68 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1051-1054 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara A. Lewis ◽  
Dorothy M. Aram ◽  
Samuel J. Horwitz
Keyword(s):  
Language Comprehension ◽  
Head Circumference ◽  
Brain Size ◽  
Ct Scans ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Motor Proficiency ◽  
Motor Tests ◽  
Motor Difficulties

9 children between the ages of 5 and 12 yr. whose head circumferences were greater than the 98th percentile and showed negative CT scans and histories for disease associated with increased brain size were studied. A battery of language, articulation, intelligence, and motor tests were administered to subjects and in each case to a sibling whose head circumference was normal. Analysis showed few differences in intelligence and language comprehension between the megalencephalic children and their siblings. Significant differences were observed in motor proficiency, with over 50% of the megalencephalic children scoring below the 10th percentile for their age group. Three megalencephalic children displayed articulation errors. All subjects had at least one parent whose head circumference exceeded the 98th percentile. These results suggest a relationship between benign megalencephaly and developmental motor difficulties

scholarly journals Movement Patterns in Students Diagnosed with ADHD, Objective Measurement in a Natural Learning Environment

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 3870
Author(s):  
Mireia Sempere-Tortosa ◽  
Francisco Fernández-Carrasco ◽  
Ignasi Navarro-Soria ◽  
Carlos Rizo-Maestre
Keyword(s):  
Rating Scale ◽  
The Body ◽  
Social Adaptation ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Childhood And Adolescence ◽  
Clinical Group ◽  
Body Parts ◽  
Psychological Processes ◽  
Strengths And Difficulties

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the most common neuropsychological disorder in childhood and adolescence, affecting the basic psychological processes involved in learning, social adaptation and affective adjustment. From previous research, the disorder is linked to problems in different areas of development, with deficiencies in psychological processes leading to the development of the most common characteristics of the disorder such as inattention, excess of activity and lack of inhibitory control. As for the diagnosis, in spite of being a very frequent disorder, there are multiple controversies about which tools are the most suitable for evaluation. One of the most widespread tools in the professional field is behavior inventories such as the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaires for Parents and Teachers or the ADHD Rating Scale-V. The main disadvantage of these assessment tools is that they do not provide an objective observation. For this reason, there are different studies focused on recording objective measures of the subjects’ movement, since hyperkinesia is one of the most characteristic symptoms of this disorder. In this sense, we have developed an application that, using a Kinect device, is capable of measuring the movement of the different parts of the body of up to six subjects in the classroom, being a natural context for the student. The main objective of this work is twofold, on the one hand, to investigate whether there are correlations between excessive movement and high scores in the inventories for the diagnosis of ADHD, Rating Scale-V and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and, on the other hand, to determine which sections of the body present the most significant mobility in subjects diagnosed with ADHD. Results show that the control group, composed of neurotypical subjects, presents less kinaesthetic activity than the clinical group diagnosed with ADHD. This indicates that the experimental group presents one of the main characteristics of the disorder. In addition, results also show that practically all the measured body parts present significant differences, being higher in the clinical group, highlighting the head as the joint with the highest effect size.

scholarly journals Left-Handedness and Developmental Coordination Disorder

2008 ◽  
Vol 53 (10) ◽  
pp. 696-699 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Cairney ◽  
Louis A Schmidt ◽  
Scott Veldhuizen ◽  
Paul Kurdyak ◽  
John Hay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Motor Coordination ◽  
Developmental Coordination Disorder ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Motor Proficiency ◽  
Cerebral Lateralization ◽  
Coordination Problems ◽  
Left Handedness ◽  
Left Handed ◽  
Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test ◽  
Coordination Disorder

Objective: To examine the prevalence of left-handedness in a sample of children screened for developmental coordination disorder (DCD). Method: Using the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency—Short Form (BOTMP-SF), 2297 children were screened with 128 scoring at or below the fifth percentile and identified as probable cases of DCD. Using the Movement-ABC (M-ABC) and the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test, 30 children (24 from the DCD group, and 6 who scored above the cut-off) were randomly selected for further assessment. Results: Among the students who had previously scored at or below the fifth percentile on the BOTMP-SF, 24 were evaluated. Among the 19 children who met diagnostic criteria for DCD (IQ > 70, M-ABC < 16th percentile), 37% ( n = 9) were left-handed. Among children who scored at or below the fifth percentile of the M-ABC, 46% were left-handed (6/13). Conclusion: The prevalence of left-handedness in children with DCD suggests a possible role for cerebral lateralization in motor coordination problems.

Reliability and Validity of the Ladder Agility Test Among Children

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 370-378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bouwien Smits-Engelsman ◽  
Wendy Aertssen ◽  
Emmanuel Bonney
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Motor Coordination ◽  
Dynamic Balance ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Test Items ◽  
Explosive Power ◽  
Explained Variance ◽  
Test Retest Reliability

Purpose: This study aimed (1) to evaluate the test–retest reliability of a new agility test among children and (2) to determine the physical performance and anthropometric variables that may influence agility performance in this population. Methods: For aim 1, participants (n = 34) completed the Ladder Agility Test (LAT) twice, with a 2-week interval between the first and second test occasions. For aim 2, participants (n = 125) were assessed on the LAT as well as other measures thought to be necessary for agility such as motor coordination, explosive power of the lower extremity, dynamic balance, age, and body mass index. Results: Intraclass correlation coefficient of the LAT total score was .94 (95% confidence interval, .88–.97). Cronbach alpha of .85 was found between the 4 test items. An R2 of .466 was found to represent the explained variance of the LAT total score by the predicting variables. Dynamic balance (2-legged side jumps) (P < .001), motor coordination (P < .01), and age (P < .06) were found to be the major predictors of the LAT total score. Conclusions: This study shows that the LAT is a reliable and valid field-based test that can be used to evaluate agility performance in children. Factors such as dynamic balance, motor coordination, and age may influence agility performance.

scholarly journals Effects of Cassava Juice (Manihot esculenta Crantz) on Renal and Hepatic Function and Motor Impairments in Male Rats

Toxins ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 708
Author(s):  
Eduardo Rivadeneyra-Domínguez ◽  
José Eduardo Pérez-Pérez ◽  
Alma Vázquez-Luna ◽  
Rafael Díaz-Sobac ◽  
Juan Francisco Rodríguez-Landa
Keyword(s):  
Manihot Esculenta ◽  
Motor Coordination ◽  
Neuronal Damage ◽  
Motor Impairment ◽  
Hepatic Function ◽  
Hepatic Damage ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Motor Impairments ◽  
Manihot Esculenta Crantz ◽  
Swim Test

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a plant that contains neurotoxins such as linamarin and lotaustraline. Its long-term consumption is associated with neuronal damage and contributes to the development of motor impairment in humans and rats. We investigated the effects of the consumption of cassava juice on renal and hepatic function and motor impairments in male rats. The rats received the vehicle, non-toxic and toxic doses of cassava juice, or linamarin as a pharmacological control, over 35 consecutive days. The effects were evaluated in an open field test, rotarod, and swim test. The toxic cassava dose and linamarin resulted in motor impairments in the rotarod and swim test from day 7 of treatment. The toxic cassava dose and linamarin increased the parameters that indicate renal and hepatic damage, with the exception of total protein and albumin levels. Behavioral variables that show motor incoordination (i.e., latency to fall in the rotarod) were negatively correlated with biochemical parameters of renal and kidney damage, whereas spin behavior was positively correlated. Our data indicate that chronic oral consumption of cassava juice caused renal and hepatic damage that was correlated with motor coordination impairment in rats, similarly to their principal neurotoxic compound, linamarin.

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