Motor Intervention Research Articles

Motor Training After Stroke: A Novel Approach for Driving Rehabilitation.

BackgroundA key component of safe driving is a well-timed braking performance. Stroke-related decline in motor and cognitive processes slows braking response and puts individuals with stroke at a higher risk for car crashes. Although the impact of cognitive training on driving has been extensively investigated, the influence of motor interventions and their effectiveness in enhancing specific driving-related skills after stroke remains less understood. We compare the effectiveness of two motor interventions (force-control vs. strength training) to facilitate braking, an essential skill for safe driving.MethodsTwenty-two stroke survivors were randomized to force-control training or strength training. Before and after training, participants performed a braking task during car-following in a driving simulator. We quantified the cognitive and motor components of the braking task with cognitive processing time and movement execution time.ResultsThe cognitive processing time did not change for either training group. In contrast, the movement execution became significantly faster (14%) following force-control training but not strength training. In addition, task-specific effects of training were found in each group. The force-control group showed improved accuracy and steadiness of ankle movements, whereas the strength training group showed increased dorsiflexion strength following training.ConclusionMotor intervention that trains ankle force control in stroke survivors improves the speed of movement execution during braking. Driving rehabilitation after stroke might benefit from incorporating force-control training to enhance the movement speed for a well-timed braking response.

Clinical effects of oral motor intervention combined with non-nutritive sucking on oral feeding in preterm infants with dysphagia

ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness of oral motor intervention combined with non-nutritive sucking in treating premature infants with dysphagia. MethodsSixty preterm infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of the present study's hospital were selected and randomly divided into the control and intervention groups. The control group was given non-nutritive sucking intervention alone, while the intervention group was given oral motor intervention combined with non-nutritive sucking. The oral motor ability, milk sucking amount and sucking rate, feeding efficiency and outcomes, and the occurrence of adverse reactions were measured and compared. ResultsCompared to first-day interventions, preterm infant oral feeding readiness assessment scale-Chinese version (PIOFRAS-CV) scores of the two groups significantly increased after 14 days of intervention, and this score was higher in the intervention group compared to the control group. Similarly, after 14 days of intervention, the intervention group's milk sucking rate and amount were significantly higher than the control group. Also, after the intervention, the intervention group's total oral feeding weeks were considerably lower, while the feeding efficiency and body weight were significantly higher than the control group. Moreover, the overall adverse reaction rate in the intervention group was lower than that in the control group. ConclusionsOral motor intervention combined with non-nutritive sucking can significantly improve the oral motor ability of premature newborns, promote the process of oral feeding, improve the outcome of oral feeding, and reduce the occurrence of adverse effects. The combined intervention seems to have a beneficial effect on oral feeding proficiency in preterm infants.

Motor skill training programs for children with developmental coordination disorder: Does gender matter?

As a section of composing an update of the motor skill training programs in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) according to gender, a systematic review of intervention studies in this domain, emphasizing gender differences, was made. This study aimed to (i) systematically review the available literature on the effect of a motor intervention program in children with DCD with a focus on gender differences; (ii) to find clues that possibly explain the observed outcomes according to gender. An electronic search in 4-four databases (Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, and PubMed) was conducted for studies that evaluated motor-based interventions in participants of both genders with DCD assessed using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children. The systematic review followed the guidelines defined in the Preferred Reporting Items for Meta-analysis (PRISMA) and Systematic Reviews and comprised articles published from January 2000 to January 2021. Each study extracted information about methodology, participant characteristics, intervention program (characteristics, duration, and frequency), outcomes, and differences according to gender. Outcomes indicated that although activity-oriented and body function-oriented interventions can effectively affect motor function and skills in children with DCD, only a few studies indicated equal outcomes of the effectiveness of programs on both girls and boys. However, those studies did not describe the gender effect in sufficient detail to help researchers and clinicians understand what it was about the treatment that made it equivalent. Future studies need to address this.

EFFECTIVENESS OF THE ORAL MOTOR INTERVENTION ON FEEDING PERFORMANCE AMONG PRETERM BABIES AT SELECTED HOSPITAL, COIMBATORE.

AIMS: The aim of the study was to assess the level of feeding performance among and determine the effectiveness of oral motor intervention on feeding performance among preterm babies. METHODS: One group pre-test and post-test pre-experimental design was used and 30 samples were selected using non-probability convenient sampling technique. The modied early feeding assessment scale was used to evaluate the feeding performance. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: The pretest mean was 22.6 and the post-test mean was 38.8. the mean difference was 16.2. The standard deviation of the pretest was 3.8 and the post -test was 2.8. The calculated paired 't' value 19.12 was highly signicant than the table value (2.6) at 0.05 level. CONCLUSION: It was inferred that oral motor intervention was effective in improving feeding performance among preterm babies

Is There a Time-Sensitive Window in Patients With Stroke to Enhance Arm Recovery With Higher Intensity Motor Therapy?

Is There a Time-Sensitive Window in Patients With Stroke to Enhance Arm Recovery With Higher Intensity Motor Therapy?

School-Based Teacher Motor Interventions for Pupils with Cerebral Palsy in Ghana

This paper presents the findings of a study that utilized three focus groups in unearthing school-based teacher motor skill interventions for pupils with cerebral palsy and related challenges in Ghana. Overall, 23 teachers (12 males; 11 females) selected through maximum variation sampling constituted the different focus groups. Whereas teachers implemented a number of motor skill activities for pupils with cerebral palsy on a daily basis, majority emphasized fine motor skill activities, utilized task-specific motor training strategies and applied explicit motor skill instructions. Teachers generally did not utilize the concept of stages of motor learning in their respective motor skill interventions. Furthermore, some teachers found implementing developmentally appropriate motor skill interventions challenging. It is recommended that teachers endeavour to incorporate more gross motor skill activities as they have the potential to boost fine motor skills. Again, teachers should incorporate implicit motor skill instructions in teaching motor skill activities to pupils with cerebral palsy as these pupils may have limited capacity for explicit motor skill instructions.

The Effects of an Integrative, Universally Designed Motor Skill Intervention for Young Children With and Without Disabilities.

Many interventions feature a singular component approach to targeting children's motor competency and proficiency. Yet, little is known about the use of integrative interventions to meet the complex developmental needs of children aged 3-6years. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an integrative universally designed intervention on children with and without disabilities' motor competency and proficiency. We selected children (N = 111; disability = 24; no disability = 87) to participate in either a school-based integrative motor intervention (n = 53) or a control condition (n = 58). Children in the integrative motor intervention both with and without disabilities showed significant improvement in motor competency and proficiency (p < .001) as compared with peers with and without disabilities in a control condition. Early childhood center directors (e.g.,preschool and kindergarten) should consider implementing integrative universally designed interventions targeting multiple aspects of motor development to remediate delays in children with and without disabilities.

The Value of a Motor Intervention for 3 to 6-Year-Old Children Infected with and Affected by HIV.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/Aquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a large threat to human health and is challenging to address. This study aims to determine if motor intervention is a possibility for promoting the life expectancy and quality of life of children with HIV. The group consisted of 22 participants: 11 HIV-infected (51.73 months, SD 10.15) and 11 HIV-affected children (44.45 months, SD 10.76). A two-group (intervention and control group) pre-test–post-test research design was followed. The HIV-infected and affected children were randomly matched and grouped into an intervention and control group. The intervention group participated in a 12-week motor intervention of 60 min per session, twice per week. The effect of the program was analyzed with regard to motor skills, as established by the PDMS-2 and two strength capabilities. An ANCOVA adjusted for pre-test differences (p < 0.05) indicated statistically significant improvement (p < 0.05) with large practical significance (d > 0.8) in locomotor, fine motor and overall motor skills. The infected children also showed better improvement compared to the affected children. Motor intervention is recommended in the health care path of children affected and infected with HIV, although modifications for improvement of the program are suggested, based on the results attained.

Transdiagnostic symptom subtypes across autism spectrum disorders and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: validated by measures of neurocognition and structural connectivity

BackgroundsAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are neurodevelopmental disorders that exhibit within-disorder heterogeneity and cross-disorder phenotypic overlap, thus suggesting that the current disease categories may not fully represent the etiologic essence of the disorders, especially for highly comorbid neurodevelopmental disorders. In this study, we explored the subtypes of a combined sample of ASD and ADHD by integrating measurements of behavior, cognition and brain imaging.MethodsA total of 164 participants, including 65 with ASD, 47 with ADHD, and 52 controls, were recruited. Unsupervised machine learning with an agglomerative hierarchical clustering algorithm was used to identify transdiagnostic symptom clusters. Neurocognition and brain structural connectivity measurements were used to assess symptom clusters. Mediation analysis was used to explore the relationship between transdiagnostic symptoms, neurocognition and brain structural connectivity.ResultsWe identified three symptom clusters that did not fall within the diagnostic boundaries of DSM. External measurements from neurocognition and neuroimaging domains supported distinct profiles, including fine motor function, verbal fluency, and structural connectivity in the corpus callosum between these symptom clusters, highlighting possible biomarkers for ASD and ADHD. Additionally, fine motor function was shown to mediate the relationship between the corpus callosum and perseveration symptoms.ConclusionsIn this transdiagnostic study on ASD and ADHD, we identified three subtypes showing meaningful associations between symptoms, neurocognition and brain white matter structural connectivity. The fine motor function and structural connectivity of corpus callosum might be used as biomarkers for neurodevelopmental disorders with social skill symptoms. The results of this study highlighted the importance of precise phenotyping and further supported the effects of fine motor intervention on ASD and ADHD.

A feasibility randomized controlled trial of a NICU rehabilitation program for very low birth weight infants

Motor disability is common in children born preterm. Interventions focusing on environmental enrichment and emotional connection can positively impact outcomes. The NICU-based rehabilitation (NeoRehab) program consists of evidence-based interventions provided by a parent in addition to usual care. The program combines positive sensory experiences (vocal soothing, scent exchange, comforting touch, skin-to-skin care) as well as motor training (massage and physical therapy) in a gestational age (GA) appropriate fashion. To investigate the acceptability, feasibility and fidelity of the NeoRehab program in very low birthweight (VLBW) infants. All interventions were provided by parents in addition to usual care. Infants (≤ 32 weeks' GA and/or ≤ 1500 g birthweight) were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial comparing NeoRehab to usual care (03/2019–10/2020). The a priori dosing goal was for interventions to be performed 5 days/week. The primary outcomes were the acceptability, feasibility and fidelity of the NeoRehab program. 36 participants were randomized to the intervention group and 34 allocated to usual care. The recruitment rate was 71% and retention rate 98%. None of the interventions met the 5 days per week pre-established goal. 97% of participants documented performing a combination of interventions at least 3 times per week. The NeoRehab program was well received and acceptable to parents of VLBW infants. Programs that place a high demand on parents (5 days per week) are not feasible and goals of intervention at least 3 times per week appear to be feasible in the context of the United States. Parent-provided motor interventions were most challenging to parents and alternative strategies should be considered in future studies. Further studies are needed to evaluate the relationship between intervention dosing on long term motor outcomes.

Feasibility of a virtual reality-based exercise intervention and low-cost motion tracking method for estimation of motor proficiency in youth with autism spectrum disorder

BackgroundMotor impairment is widely acknowledged as a core feature in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which can affect adaptive behavior and increase severity of symptoms. Low-cost motion capture and virtual reality (VR) game technologies hold a great deal of promise for providing personalized approaches to motor intervention in ASD. The present study explored the feasibility, acceptability and potential efficacy of a custom-designed VR game-based intervention (GaitWayXR™) for improving gross motor skills in youth with ASD.MethodsTen children and adolescents (10–17 years) completed six, 20-min VR-based motor training sessions over 2 weeks while whole-body movement was tracked with a low-cost motion capture system. We developed a methodology for using motion tracking data to quantify whole-body movement in terms of efficiency, synchrony and symmetry. We then studied the relationships of the above quantities with standardized measures of motor skill and cognitive flexibility.ResultsOur results supported our presumption that the VR intervention is safe, with no adverse events and very few minor to moderate side-effects, while a large proportion of parents said they would use the VR game at home, the most prohibitive reasons for adopting the system for home therapy were cost and space. Although there was little evidence of any benefits of the GaitWayXR™ intervention in improving gross motor skills, we showed several positive correlations between the standardized measures of gross motor skills in ASD and our measures of efficiency, symmetry and synchrony from low-cost motion capture.ConclusionsThese findings, though preliminary and limited by small sample size, suggest that low-cost motion capture of children with ASD is feasible with movement exercises in a VR-based game environment. Based on these preliminary findings, we recommend conducting larger-scale studies with methods for improving adherence to VR gaming interventions over longer periods.

EFFECTS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PROGRAM BASED ON TECHNOLOGICAL PROGRESS: EXER-GAMES AS HEALTH PROMOTERS

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; The purpose of this work is to analyse the improvement in the health and quality of life of children and youth detected with sedentary lifestyle and/or overweight, through the application of a training program based on exer-games. A total of 359 boys and girls between the ages of 3 and 12 from four schools participated in the study, from which 20 children between the ages of 5 and 12 were selected, to form two groups of 10 children each. The experimental group carried out the training program, together with nutritional guidelines, while the control group had no intervention. The variables analysed were the BMI and waist circumference, through anthropometric measurements, screen time, the type of commute to school and the level of adherence to the Mediterranean diet, measured by questionnaire, and body image, evaluated at through the silhouettes. To complement the research, initial and final nutritional evaluations were carried out on the experimental group. Descriptive statistics for all variables were analysed, calculating the mean, median and standard deviation for the quantitative variables; percentages and frequencies for qualitative variables. The results obtained may indicate that a motor intervention program based on exer-games contributes to promoting the health of students with sedentary and/or overweight traits.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

Characteristics of Static and Dynamic Balance Skills in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and the Potential of Motor Interventions for Social Interaction

Characteristics of Static and Dynamic Balance Skills in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and the Potential of Motor Interventions for Social Interaction

Effectiveness of Motor Interventions in Improving the Motor Abilities of Post-stroke Patients: A Systematic Review

Background and Aims Stroke is a major cause of neurologic disability worldwide. Most cases of stroke have a sedentary lifestyle and diminished aerobic capacity. The present study aimed to systematically investigate the effect of aerobic exercise training on motor function improvement of patients following stroke. Methods This research is a systematic review. Keyword studies of aerobics, exercise, mobility, rehabilitation, stroke, walking, and treadmill were conducted in the Embase, Science Direct, PubMed, Medline, and Google Scholar databases from 2000 to 2019. Studies in two categories of aerobic exercise and motor ability, including adults with a history of stroke more than six months with the ability to move independently, have exercise intervention and assessment of motor abilities. Of 87 articles in the initial search, 31 were included in this study. Results Among 31 studies reviewed, 10 studies focused on the effect of continuous passive exercise and 12 studies on the effect of aerobic exercise on the motor abilities of stroke patients. Meanwhile, although six studies showed a positive impact of using the treadmill on functional capacity, five studies did not show an improvement in the balance of these patients under the treadmill. Conclusion A review of the research findings showed that the specific type, intensity, and duration of various types of motor interventions could improve parts of the physical fitness of stroke patients during the rehabilitation programs; therefore, the risk of re-stroke and cardiovascular disorders is reduced.

Effects of oral stimulation with breast milk in preterm infants oral feeding: a randomized clinical trial.

This study was performed to evaluate the effect of oral stimulation with breast milk for preterm infants. A total of 68 subjects form neonatal intensive care unit were randomly assigned into control group (n=20), premature infant oral motor intervention (PIOMI) group (n=25) and premature infant oral motor intervention with breast milk (BM-PIOMI) group (n=23). BM-PIOMI group had significant shorter initiation of oral feeding (IOF) time compared to PIOMI group (2.95 days, 95% CI [0.42-5.48]) or control group (9.79 days, 95% CI [7.07-12.51]). BM-PIOMI group had significant sooner transition time from IOF to full oral feeding (FOF) compared to control group (6.68days, 95% CI [2.2-11.16]), but not to PIOMI group (2.09days, 95% CI [-2.07 to 6.25]). Length of hospital stay (LOS) did not show statistical different between three groups (control 38.85±14.40 vs. PIOMI 38.48±11.76 vs. BM-PIOMI 38.04±12.2). Growth mixture model identified improvement in non-nutritive sucking (NNS) score in BM-PIOMI group compared to control and PIOMI group (0.8293, p<0.0001, and 0.8296, p<0.0001, respectively). Oral stimulation with breast milk can better promotes the oral feeding process of premature infants than the simple oral stimulation, by shorten IOF time and improve early NNS score, but does not shorten transition time from IOF to FOF and LOS.

“You Throw Like a Girl!”: Young Children’s Gender Stereotypes About Object Control Skills

ABSTRACT Purpose: Understanding if children hold stereotypes about motor skills, may partially explain differences in object control performance between young boys and girls. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine whether young boys and girls held stereotypes related to object control skills. Methods: Children (N = 84) ages three years four months to five years seven months (Mage = 4.6 years, SD = .58) completed the Test of Gross Motor Development—Second Edition and a modified version of the Children’s Occupations, Activities and Traits Measure. Spearman Rho correlations examined associations between children’s stereotypes and actual object control skills performance. We then examined differences between boys’ and girls’ gender stereotypes (three for each category) and object control skills via independent samples t-tests. Results: Results showed significant associations between gender stereotypes toward object control skills and actual object control skills for girls (ρ = −.31—−.53, p < .05) but not for boys (ρ = .10—.14, p > .05). Concurrently, girls showed significantly lower object control skills than boys (t[82] = 2.01; p = .042, d = .44) as well as significantly higher gender stereotypes across all three categories (p < .05, d = .54–1.77). Conclusion: These data indicated that girls, not boys, held gender stereotypes about object control skills in concert with lower object control skill performances. Future research should evaluate the impacts of an integrated gross motor intervention which seeks to change gender stereotypes and concurrently improve object control skill performance.

Meta-analysis of process- oriented motor interventions (sensory integration, perceptual-motor and neuro developmental) on children's motor skills

Meta-analysis of process- oriented motor interventions (sensory integration, perceptual-motor and neuro developmental) on children's motor skills

Participation after childhood stroke: Is there a relationship with lesion size, motor function and manual ability?

Childhood arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) is associated with significant morbidity with up to 50% of affected children developing hemiparesis. Hemiparesis is assumed to influence participation within the peer group, but it is unclear to what extent its severity affects participation in different areas of social life. Thirteen children (mean age 9y6m) with AIS (6 without hemiparesis, 7 with hemiparesis) and 21 controls (mean age 9y8m) participated. We scored hemiparesis severity with hand strength asymmetry (pinch and grip strength), measured with a dynamometer. We assessed manual ability (ABILHAND-Kids), socioeconomic status (Family Affluence Scale) and participation (Participation and Environment Measure - Children and Youth). From structural MRI, we measured lesion size. We investigated differences in participation and its relationship with hemiparesis severity using non-parametric partial correlations (controlling for lesion size, manual ability, and socioeconomic status), interpreted as absent (r<0.25), weak (r=0.25-0.50), moderate (r=0.50-0.75) or strong (r>0.75). Analyses were performed in jamovi 1.6.3. Children with AIS (with or without hemiparesis) showed reduced participation frequency at school (p<0.001), whilst participation at home and in the community resembled that of their peers. Severity of hemiparesis was moderately related to frequency and involvement at home and to involvement and desire for change in the community, although unrelated to school participation. Reduced participation in school life requires close attention in the follow-up of children with AIS - regardless of the severity of hemiparesis. Participation at home and in the community is related to hemiparesis severity and may be improved with participation-focused motor intervention strategies.

Crosstalk between Gross and Fine Motor Domains during Late Childhood: The Influence of Gross Motor Training on Fine Motor Performances in Primary School Children.

Gross and fine motor competence have a close relationship during development and are shown to correlate to some extent. However, the study of the interaction between these domains still requires further insights. In this study, we investigated the developmental changes in overall motor skills as well as the effects of gross motor training programs on fine motor skills in children (aged 6–11, n = 240). Fine motor skills were assessed before and after gross motor intervention using the Box and Block Test. The gross motor intervention was based on the Test of Gross Motor Development—3rd Edition. Results showed that gross and fine motor skills correlate across all years of primary school, both significantly improving with age. Finally, the gross motor intervention appeared to not influence fine motor skills. Our findings show that during primary school age, overall motor development is continuous, but non-linear. From age nine onward, there seems to be a major step-up in overall motor competence, of which teachers/educators should be aware of in order to design motor educational programs accordingly. While gross and fine motor domains might be functionally integrated to enhance children’s motor performances, further research is needed to clarify the effect of gross motor practice on fine motor performances.

Dysphagia intervention in NICU set up: a report of case studies in an Indian public hospital

&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;A retrospective study was conducted in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of a public hospital in Mumbai, India wherein 13 neonates with varying pathophysiologies were taken up for swallowing intervention. Of these, 7 neonates had history of prematurity, 1 was born of twin birth with prematurity, 3 had clefts of lip/palate and 2 had Pierre Robin Syndrome. For 7 neonates with prematurity, the swallowing regimen consisted of oro motor intervention (OMI) followed with therapeutic oral feeds. With improved tolerance of oral feeds while maintaining airway safety, they were graduated to oral feeds progressively increasing in volume until they reached optimum prescribed oral feeds. 6 out of 7(86%) progressed to breast feeds while1 succumbed to medical complications. 3 babies with CLP graduated to complete oral feeds through bondla, when they were fitted with obturators and had swallowing intervention but were unable to move to breastfeeds while in NICU. 2 babies with PRS could not tolerate oral feeds even after multiple sessions and had to be maintained on orogastric feeds. 1 infant, one of a twin delivery with prematurity although was showing improvement to OMI succumbed to medical complications. Among these neonates, those with prematurity showed the maximum improvement with swallowing intervention followed by infants with CLP. Co-morbidities such as prematurity in twin births worsened the prognosis as did a disorder such as PRS. This preliminary study, done on a small sample, stressed the importance of swallowing intervention in neonates with high risk factors by the SLP in the NICU in an Indian set up. &lt;/p&gt;