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Deficient coordination of associated postural adjustments during a lifting task in children with neurodevelopmental disorders

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 October 2003

Aurelija Jucaite
Affiliation:
Department of Woman and Child Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
Elisabeth Fernell
Affiliation:
Department of Woman and Child Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
Hans Forssberg
Affiliation:
Department of Woman and Child Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
Mijna Hadders-Algra
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
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Abstract

Precision grip and concomitant anticipatory postural adjustments were investigated in 11 children (three females, eight males; mean age 9 years 1 month, SD 11 months) with attention-deficit–hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); 12 children (three females, nine males; mean age 9 years, SD 7 months) with developmental coordination disorder (DCD), and 13 children (two females, 11 males; mean age 9 years 9 months, SD 11 months) with a combination of ADHD and DCD (ADHD+). There were two comparison groups: an age-matched group (four females, 11 males; mean age 9 years 1 month, SD 14 months) and a younger age group (five females, six males; mean age 6 years 5 months, SD 8 months). Adaptation to different weights was evaluated by lifting a specialized grip instrument monitoring grip force, load force, and centre of foot pressure displacements. Children with ADHD+ showed: (1) excessive grip forces, (2) decreased amplitude and prolonged onset of postural adjustments, and (3) reduced ability to adapt the motor output. Children with ADHD and DCD did not scale manual and postural forces in amplitude and time domains. Children with DCD also differed in delayed timing of postural adjustments. Results indicate that children with ADHD and DCD show a spectrum of neural dysfunctions underlying poor motor coordination, which are not specific to the clinical disorder.

Type
Original Articles
Copyright
© 2003 Mac Keith Press

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