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Problem: Awareness of children, who experience movement, particularly motor coordination difficulties, has increased dramatically over the last ten years. These motor coordination problems of children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) or/and Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) have been frequently associated with poor visual and spatial eye-vision processing.Background: Motor control difficulties for DCD and ADHD children have been discussed in detail. However, just a little is known about the influence of the natural environment on these disorders. Even more, the built environment’s impact as a spatial cognition and coordination functionality has never been considered.Aim: This pilot and innovative study aim to identify the correlation between and evaluate the visual contribution of the so-called “spatial compound linear geometries” and DCD children’s motor/walking control.Methodology: Twenty children aged 5 to 8 years with DCD difficulties (two intervention groups, one with 10 boys and the other one with 10 girls) were assessed by a statistical structural evaluation in three built environments (two urban parks and one pocket park), under two conditions (rich or not in trees, flora, and PnP linear geometries), and different motor coordination control situations (static balance, dynamic balances, dark condition).Results: The worst performances (regarding movement disorders and motor coordination problems) were observed for both groups with DCD children playing in parks poor in or without trees, flora, and spatial compound linear geometries. Instead, a significant performance (strong statistical correlation) was found for the same intervention group (DCD children’s boys or girls) playing in parks rich in trees, flora, and vegetation (natural environment). The best performance (very strong statistical correlation) was detected in parks rich in a natural environment and linear geometries. Conclusions: While the natural environment contribution is bibliographically known, the best performance finding of the visual contribution of the spatial compound linear geometries, as spatial landmarks enriching the visual-spatial motor/walking functionalities for Children with DCD disorder, could provide new cognitive approaches towards an understanding of children’s Developmental Coordination Disorder and walking physiology. DCD children’s performance, scores, and cues were related to both the natural environment and the spatial compound linear geometries as spatial landmark motor coordination cues and spatio-temporal clues. The significant variability in sensory processing among children with DCD, ADHD, and co-occurring symptoms can contribute to understanding how neurological and social factors correlate across diagnoses. Also, derived observations for stepping errors, Gait analysis (variables), and spatio-temporal clues conclude that visual eye-based processing interrelates with motor coordination problems, performance, inattention, environmental conditions (dark), sex identity (boys, girls), and DCD hyperactivity. Applications: Development of interactive visual applications for (i) human spatial cognition and movement improvement; and (ii) children’s motor control and coordination refinement.
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Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi examinar as habilidades de integração visomotora e destreza manual em crianças com Transtorno do Desenvolvimento da Coordenação (TDC). Estudo descritivo transversal com 22 crianças de 7 a 11 anos com TDC, avaliadas com o Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (DCDQ-Brasil), Movement Assessment Battery for Children Second Edition (MABC-2) e Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration Sixth Edition (VMI). A amostra contou com 4 meninas e 18 meninos. Considerando o percentil 25 no VMI como ponto de corte, 12 crianças apresentaram desempenho abaixo da média no domínio integração visomotora, 13 no domínio visual e 19 no domínio de coordenação motora. Foi observada correlação significativa entre o percentil de destreza motora e o percentil total do MABC-2, mas não entre os escores do MABC-2 e os diferentes domínios avaliados com o VMI. Os resultados sugerem que é necessário e importante o uso combinado de testes para melhor avaliação das crianças com TDC, a fim de detectar suas possíveis dificuldades na integração visomotora e destreza manual e suas implicações no desempenho de tarefas funcionais das crianças no dia a dia.
Abstract This study aimed to examine the visual-motor integration and manual dexterity skills in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). A cross-sectional descriptive study of 22 children aged 7 to 11 years old with DCD, assessed with the Brazilian version of the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (DCDQ-Brazil), Movement Assessment Battery for Children Second Edition (MABC-2) and Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration Sixth Edition (VMI). Four girls and 18 boys participated. Considering the 25th percentile in VMI as the cutoff point, 12 children presented a below-average performance in the visual-motor integration domain, 13 in the visual domain, and 19 in the motor coordination domain. We observed a statistically significant correlation between the motor dexterity and the total MABC-2 percentiles, but not between the MABC-2 percentiles and the different domains evaluated with the VMI. The results suggest that the combined use of tests for better assessment of children with DCD is needed and important to detect their real difficulties in both visuomotor integration and manual dexterity and their implications on the performance of children's daily activities.
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Resumo Introdução A maior parte da população é capaz de executar movimentos e atividades cotidianas com relativa competência. É bem documentado na literatura o perfil de algumas crianças que têm muita dificuldade para realizar atividades consideradas típicas da infância. Crianças com transtorno do desenvolvimento da coordenação (TDC) demonstram prejuízo acentuado no desenvolvimento das habilidades motoras, com possíveis repercussões na saúde física e mental. Objetivo Investigar as percepções da díade mãe-criança sobre os prováveis impactos do TDC no desempenho ocupacional das crianças e no dia a dia da família; explorar as relações existentes entre as ocupações, habilidades e ambiente; investigar a influência do transtorno no autoconceito e autoeficácia das crianças. Método Trata-se de um estudo exploratório de corte transversal, de abordagem qualitativa que contou com a participação de 3 mães e 3 crianças. A análise dos dados foi feita por análise de conteúdo. Resultados Duas categorias emergiram: oportunidades de brincar e de fazer e impactos na escola. As mães percebem as dificuldades relacionadas ao desempenho das ocupações das crianças, principalmente nas atividades escolares. Algumas questões do contexto social foram identificadas pelas mães como balizadoras das oportunidades de brincar de suas crianças. As crianças compreendem que têm algumas dificuldades e uma delas identifica problemas na relação com os colegas. Conclusão Acredita-se que o estudo possa contribuir para reforçar a necessidade de reconhecimento do TDC e sua co-ocorrência com dificuldades de aprendizagem como um problema persistente e impactante no cotidiano de crianças e suas famílias, e a importância de fatores ambientais como mediadores da oferta de oportunidades de brincar das crianças.
Abstract Introduction Most of the population can carry out daily activities with competence. The profile of some children who have difficulty doing typical activities of childhood is well documented in the literature. Children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) demonstrate a marked effort in the development of motor skills, with possible repercussions on mental health. Objective To investigate the perceptions of mothers and their children about the impacts caused by DCD on everyday life; to explore the relations between the occupations, skills, and the environment; to investigate potential influences of the disorder on children's self-concept and self-efficacy. Method This is an exploratory cross-sectional study with a qualitative approach involving three mothers and three children. Data were analyzed using content analysis. Results Three categories emerged: play and doing opportunities and impacts in school activities. Mothers perceived difficulties on occupational performance of their children, especially in school activities. Social context's characteristics are related to the offer of play opportunities for the children. The children understand that they have some difficulties, and one child identifies peer problems. Conclusion This study can highlight the importance of the recognition of DCD and its co-occurrence with learning disability as a persistent problem that affects children's and their families' everyday life, and the role of environmental factors on the opportunities children have to play.
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Introdução: o alcoolismo é definido como síndrome crônica e multifatorial. Comumente, associa-se à degeneração cerebelar e polineuropatia, principais responsáveis pelas alterações de coordenação e equilíbrio que representam as consequências mais incapacitantes associadas ao consumo de álcool. Objetivo: descrever o perfil dos alcoólicos em abstinência frequentadores de um centro de convivência e investigar a associação entre consumo de álcool e transtornos do equilíbrio e coordenação motora. Métodos: foram coletados os dados demográficos e, em seguida, avaliados o equilíbrio e a coordenação motora dos pacientes. Estatística descritiva foi utilizada para a apresentação das variáveis estudadas. A relação entre consumo de álcool e equilíbrio foi investigada por meio de regressão linear múltipla e a relação entre consumo de álcool e coordenação foi analisada por meio do teste Mann--Whitney e do teste T para amostras independentes. Resultados: os pacientes eram, principalmente, homens, usuários, inclusive, de outras drogas psicoativas. Não houve associação significativa entre consumo de álcool e equilíbrio ou entre consumo de álcool e coordenação motora (p>0,05). Apesar de não ter sido objetivo deste estudo, o modelo de regressão revelou associação significativa entre idade e equilíbrio. Conclusão: os achados mostram a predominância do uso crônico do álcool em homens e do uso concomitante de outras drogas psicoativas. A falta de associação entre consumo de álcool e déficits de equilíbrio ecoordenação motora pode ser devida à plasticidade cerebral subsequente à abstinência.
Introduction: Alcoholism is defined as a chronic, multifactorial syndrome. It is commonly associated with cerebellar degeneration and polyneuropathy, resulting in coordination and balance dysfunctions that represent the most disabling consequences associated with alcohol consumption. Objective: to describe the profile of abstinent alcoholics who participate in a center for living and to investigate the association between alcohol consumptionand disorders of balance and motor coordination. Methods: Demographic data were collected followed by assessment of patients' balance and motor coordination. Descriptive statistics was used to present the variables studied. The relationship between alcohol consumption and balance was investigated by means of multiple linear regression andthe relationship between alcohol consumption and coordination was analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test and independent sample T-test. Results: Patients were mostly men; some also used other psychoactive drugs. There was no significant association between alcohol consumption and balance or between alcohol consumption and motor coordination(p>0.05). Although it was not the objective of this study, the regression model revealed a significant association between age and balance. Conclusion: Findings show the prevalence of chronic alcohol use in men and the concomitant use of other psychoactive drugs. The lack of association between alcohol consumption and deficits in balance and motor coordination may be due to brain plasticity subsequent to abstinence.
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OBJETIVO: Investigar a prevalência de provável desordem coordenativa desenvolvimental e de seu risco e o desenvolvimento típico em meninos e meninas, com quatro a 12 anos de idade. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliadas 1.587 crianças da região Sul do Brasil com o Movement Assessment Battery for Children. Os participantes foram divididos em quatro grupos de acordo com a idade (G1, de quatro a seis anos; G2, de sete a oito; G3, de nove a dez; e G4, de 11 a 12). RESULTADOS: Ao todo, 19,9% das crianças foram identificadas com provável desordem coordenativa desenvolvimental (percentil ≤5%) e 16,8% com risco de tal desordem (percentil ≤15%), todas avaliadas pelo Movement Assessment Battery for Children. Houve interação significativa entre a classificação no Movement Assessment Battery for Children, por grupo de idade e sexo (p<0,0001). A análise por gênero demonstrou maior prevalência de desordem coordenativa desenvolvimental no grupo de meninas nas faixas etárias G3 e G4 (p<0,05). Observaram-se interações significativas para a destreza manual (p=0,0001), habilidades com bola (p<0,0001) e equilíbrio (p<0,0001). Destreza manual foi o item com maior peso nas variações observadas. CONCLUSÕES: As dificuldades nas tarefas de destreza manual repercutiram mais fortemente para o diagnóstico de provável desordem coordenativa desenvolvimental e no risco de tal desordem. Os meninos apresentaram pior desempenho nas tarefas de destreza manual e equilíbrio, enquanto as meninas apresentaram maior deficiência nas habilidades com bola. O desempenho motor deficitário foi mais prevalente no grupo etário de crianças mais velhas.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of probable developmental coordination disorder and its risk, and the typical development in boys and girls aged from four to 12 years-old. METHODS: 1,587 children from South Brazil were evaluated by the Movement Assessment Battery for Children. The participants were divided into four age groups (G1, from four to six years-old; G2, from seven to eight; G3, from nine to ten; and G4, from 11 to 12). RESULTS: 19.9% of the children were identified as having probable developmental coordination disorder (percentile ≤5%) and 16.8% were identified at risk of such disorder (percentile ≤15%), based on the Movement Assessment Battery for Children. Significant interaction was found for the classification of the Movement Assessment Battery for Children between age group and gender (p<0.0001). The gender analysis showed a higher prevalence of Developmental Coordination Disorder in girls at the age groups G3 and G4 (p<0.05). Significant interactions were found for manual dexterity (p=0.0001), ball skills (p<0.0001), and balance (p<0.0001). Manual dexterity was responsible for the highest variances observed. CONCLUSIONS: The motor difficulties in manual dexterity robustly accounted for the diagnosis of probable and at risk developmental coordination disorder. Boys presented lower level of performance in the manual dexterity and balance tasks, while girls of all age groups had more difficulties related to ball skills. Higher levels of motor impairment were found in older children.
OBJETIVO: Investigar la prevalencia de un posible trastorno coordinativo de desarrollo y su riesgo, y el desarrollo típico en niños y niñas, con 4 y 12 años de edad. MÉTODOS: Se evaluaron a 1.587 niños de la región Sur de Brasil con el Movement Assessment Battery for Children. Los participantes fueron divididos en cuatro grupos conforme a la edad (1, de los cuatro a los seis años; 2, de los siete a los ocho; 3, de los nueve a los diez; y 4, de los 11 a los 12). RESULTADOS: En total, 19,9% de los niños fueron identificados con probable trastorno coordinativo de desarrollo (percentil ≤ 5%) y 16,8% con riesgo de tal trastorno (percentil ≤ 15%), todos evaluados por el Movement Assessment Battery for Children. Hubo interacción significativa entre la clasificación en el Movement Assessment Battery for Children por grupo de edad y sexo (p<0,0001).El análisis por género demostró mayor prevalencia de trastorno coordinativo de desarrollo en el grupo de niñas en las franjas de edad 3 y 4 (p<0,05). Se observaron interacciones significativas para la destreza manual (p=0,0001), habilidades con balón (p<0,0001) y equilibrio (p<0,0001). Destreza manual fue el ítem con mayor peso en las variaciones observadas. CONCLUSIONES: Las dificultades en las tareas de destreza manual repercutieron más fuertemente para el diagnóstico de probable trastorno coordinativo de desarrollo y en riesgo de tal trastorno. Los niños presentaron peor desempeño en las tareas de destreza manual y equilibrio, mientras que las niñas presentaron mayor deficiencia en las habilidades con balón. El desempeño motor deficitario fue más prevalente en el grupo etario de niños mayores.