Motor Skills Research Articles

GAIA therapeutic farm: Prospective study on multidisciplinary care efficacy.

The therapeutic farm "GAIA" in Sidi Thabet is a non-profit organization created in 2009, situated in the North-Western suburbs of the capital Tunis/Tunisia. Its main aims are the day-care for and the socio-professional integration of children and young adults between age 6 and 30 with diverse types of disability through multiple activities, such as pet assisted therapy and horticulture. to assess the potential benefits of therapeutic on-farm management. We conducted a prospective study including 50 children and young adults aged 7 to 30 years with intellectual disabilities and/or autism spectrum disorders. Study participants were evaluated before inclusion and after 10 months of care using a self-established questionnaire collecting socio-demographic and clinical variables, an evaluation of competences, and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Mean sub scores (externalization/internalization) of CBCL decreased significantly (p<0.002). Competences were significantly improved in the following domains: understanding of verbal language, gross and fine motor skills, body hygiene, spatial and temporal orientation, preschool and school learning achievements and social integration. These positive initial results should encourage the further development of this initiative with support of the community.

UBTF haploinsufficiency associated with UBTF-related global developmental delay and distinctive facial features without neuroregression

BackgroundThe Upstream Binding Transcription Factor (UBTF) gene encodes two nucleolar proteins, UBTF1 and UBTF2. UBTF1 regulates rRNA transcription by RNA polymerase I, while UBTF2 regulates mRNA transcription by RNA polymerase...

Investigations of motor performance with neuromodulation and exoskeleton using leader-follower modality: a tDCS study.

This study investigates how the combination of robot-mediated haptic interaction and cerebellar neuromodulation can improve task performance and promote motor skill development in healthy individuals using a robotic exoskeleton worn on the index finger. The authors propose a leader-follower type of mirror game where participants can follow a leader in a two-dimensional virtual reality environment while the exoskeleton tracks the index finger motion using an admittance filter. The game requires two primary learning phases: the initial phase focuses on mastering the pinching interface, while the second phase centers on predicting the leader's movements. Cerebral transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) with anodal polarity is applied to the subjects during the game. It is shown that the subjects' performance improves as they play the game. The combination of tDCS with finger exoskeleton significantly enhances task performance. Our research indicates that modulation of the cerebellum during the mirror game improves the motor skills of healthy individuals. The results also indicate potential uses for motor neurorehabilitation in hemiplegia patients.

Enhancing motor skill learning through multiple sessions of online high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation in healthy adults: insights from EEG power spectrum.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) on finger motor skill acquisition. Thirty-one healthy adult males were randomly assigned to one of three groups: online HD-tDCS (administered during motor skill learning), offline HD-tDCS (delivered before motor skill learning), and a sham group. Participants engaged in a visual isometric pinch task for three consecutive days. Overall motor skill learning and speed-accuracy tradeoff function were used to evaluate the efficacy of tDCS. Electroencephalography was recorded and power spectral density was calculated. Both online and offline HD-tDCS total motor skill acquisition was significantly higher than the sham group (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively). Motor skill acquisition in the online group was higher than offline (P = 0.132, Cohen's d =1.46). Speed-accuracy tradeoff function in the online group was higher than both offline and sham groups in the post-test. The online group exhibited significantly lower electroencephalography activity in the frontal, fronto-central, and centro-parietal alpha band regions compared to the sham (P < 0.05). The findings suggest that HD-tDCS application can boost finger motor skill acquisition, with online HD-tDCS displaying superior facilitation. Furthermore, online HD-tDCS reduces the power of alpha rhythms during motor skill execution, enhancing information processing and skill learning efficiency.

Basic Motor Skills in Learning Mini-Athletics in Children 4-6 Years of Age from Zone 1 of Ecuador

The objective of the research project is to determine the incidence of the variables of "Basic motor skills in the learning of mini-athletics in children 4-6 years old, the research is methodologically based under a non-experimental design, by correlational and cutting scope cross-sectional, taken a sample of 300 children distributed in male and female genders of the zonal coordination 1 (Carchi, Esmeraldas, Imbabura and Sucumbíos) The instrument to evaluate the first study variable was the "retest" test validated and considered In order to evaluate the basic motor skills, as well as for the second variable, an observation sheet was used to evaluate the ability of mini-athletics through the A-B-C- of the basics of the race. The systematic process in the application of the technical fundamentals of mini-athletics, allowed obtaining the results that show the highest percentage of the study sample in relation to the basic motor skill levels were at a normal level and in the same way in the execution. of the ability of the basic movements of mini-athletics as a base and training sport to use it in sports initiation, reaching the conclusion of being able to determine that there is a positive correlation between the study variables, accepting the research hypothesis that affirms that motor skills Basic skills affect the learning of the ability to execute movements in mini-athletics in zone 1 of Ecuador.

The effect of purposeful three-dimensional training on developing some motor abilities and skill performance among female fencing players

The effect of purposeful three-dimensional training on developing some motor abilities and skill performance among female fencing players

THE TRANSFORMATIVE IMPACT OF JUDO ON ATHLETES WITH DISABILITIES: INCLUSION, ADAPTATION, AND PERFORMANCE INSIGHTS

Judo is celebrated for its inclusivity and adaptability, offering significant benefits for athletes with disabilities (PwD). It fosters physical, emotional, social, and cognitive growth, enhancing motor skills, coordination, and balance. For athletes with physical disabilities, mastering techniques such as falling safely promotes strength and agility. Moreover, engaging in judo boosts self-esteem and confidence as athletes achieve milestones like advancing through belt ranks and earning medals. The supportive environment encourages personal accomplishment and helps develop social skills through interaction with peers. Research highlights the diverse range of disabilities in judo, including visual, auditory, and intellectual impairments. Studies by Oblak et al. (2020) reveal the therapeutic benefits of judo for individuals with intellectual disabilities, emphasizing the need for more research in this area. Bocioacă and Marin (2023) explore the role of adapted judo for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Down syndrome, demonstrating improvements in integration skills through tailored practices. Additional research by Kons et al. (2021) and Krabben et al. (2017) addresses the dynamics of Paralympic judo, revealing challenges related to classification systems for visually impaired athletes. Kons et al. (2022) identify a concerning rise in injury rates among judo athletes with disabilities, indicating the need for improved safety measures. Lastly, the comparative study of neuromuscular control by Kons et al. (2019) shows that visually impaired judokas can excel in balance and certain strength metrics. Overall, these studies underscore judo’s role in promoting physical development and social integration for PwD, while also highlighting the need for further research to ensure equitable and inclusive practices in the sport.

The Effect of Contextual Interference on the Acquisition and Learning of Motor Skill with an Emphasis on Cognitive Flexibility

Background: The effect of contextual interference (CI) on motor skill learning may be influenced by various factors, such as cognitive abilities. Objectives: The purpose of the current research was to investigate the effect of CI on the acquisition and learning of soccer skills, with an emphasis on the role of cognitive flexibility (CF). Methods: Eighty students, aged 9 - 12 years, were randomly selected and administered the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. From this group, 60 students who scored the highest and lowest points were selected as the final subjects. After completing the pre-test on Moore-Christine's pass, shoot, and dribble skills, the subjects were divided into four groups of 15 participants each (high CF with Random Practice (RP) and Blocked Practice (BP), low CF with RP and BP). The subjects then engaged in practice sessions according to their assigned protocols for three sessions, with each session consisting of three blocks of 12 trials across all three skills—passing, shooting, and dribbling. Following the practice, acquisition, immediate retention, delayed retention, and transfer tests were conducted. Results: The results showed that practice in all four groups had significant beneficial effects on the acquisition and learning of skills. Additionally, the high CF with RP group demonstrated better performance in all skills compared to the other groups. Conclusions: Therefore, it can be concluded that RP may be more beneficial for individuals with higher CF. Teachers and educators should consider this when teaching sports skills.

Using immersive virtual environments for teaching and socializing children with autism spectrum disorder

The authors' research interests are focused on the development of preschool children with autism spectrum disorder and the potential of virtual reality technologies for teaching and developing children in a gaming environment. The article reviews articles published in peer-reviewed journals and posted in the Scopus database and the Google Scholar search engine for scientific publications over the past 10 years. The objective of the review is to identify international research experience regarding the impact of virtual environments and hardware on children with autism spectrum disorder, their potential effectiveness, recommended conditions and limitations of using virtual reality for social adaptation, development of communication, cognitive and motivational skills. The articles analyzed in the review focus on the following issues: the potential and results of using different types of virtual reality technologies for developing various skills and abilities in children with autism; using virtual reality to work with problems and risks; as well as the features, limitations and safety of using virtual reality headsets by children with autism spectrum disorder. It is recommended to use immersive virtual environments for children with autism under the following conditions: the presence of close and trusted people (caregivers or parents), the presence of real game objects for switching children after exiting the virtual environment and distracting attention from possible negative effects of using gadgets, continuing communication with the child after a virtual reality session in a normal physical space to practice the skill being taught, specific time limits for staying in the virtual environment, etc. It is concluded that the results of using virtual reality technologies remain contradictory, but valid data from scientific research allow us to assert that the use of immersive virtual environments is acceptable, can be effective for teaching children with autism spectrum disorder and, if certain conditions are met, is adequately perceived by them.

Implication of Parental Engagement to the Students in Home-School Learning

Parental involvement in home-school learning also helps to strengthen the relationship, fosters greater autonomy and responsibility in children, and flexible learning experiences. This study used a descriptive-phenomenological study that divulged the context of home-school learning during the health crisis brought by COVID-19 among elementary pupils. Ten (10) Grade 4 pupils, currently enrolled in S.Y. 2021-2022 and who had been studying both before and during the pandemic, participated in the interview. Colaizzi's data analysis approach was later used to analyze the interview data. Findings indicated that elementary pupils have a variety of experiences in home-school learning and are also experiencing challenges in home-school learning. The study's findings also revealed the role of their parents during home-school learning by giving them a lot of time teaching the reading and constant follow-ups with their children. The different challenges and experiences in home-school learning were evident in the pupil's responses. Hence, the result of the study also revealed that the pupils had difficulty in reading and writing during home-school learning. Students can benefit from parental support and guidance, which can improve their motivation, attitudes, and communication skills.

Research trends and hotspots of post-stroke upper limb dysfunction: a bibliometric and visualization analysis.

The global prevalence of stroke has been increasing. Motor dysfunction is observed in approximately 55 to 75% of stroke patients, with upper limb impairment affecting around 85% of them. Following upper limb dysfunction, the body's recovery time is not only slower compared to the lower limbs, but the restoration of its fine motor skills is significantly more challenging, greatly impacting the daily lives of patients. Consequently, there is an increasing urgency for study on the upper limb function in stroke. A search was conducted in the Web of Science Core Collection: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-Expanded) database for material published from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2023. We included all relevant literature reports and conducted an analysis of annual publications, countries/regions, institutions, journals, co-cited references, and keywords using the software packages CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and Bibliometrix R. Next, we succinctly outlined the research trends and hotspots in post-stroke upper limb dysfunction. This analysis comprised 1,938 articles from 1,897 institutions, 354 journals, and 53 countries or regions. A yearly rise in the production of publications was noted. The United States is the foremost nation on the issue. Northwestern University has the most amounts of papers compared to all other institutions. The journal Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair is a highly significant publication in this field, with Catherine E. Lang serving as the principal author. The majority of the most-cited references focus on subjects such as the reliability and validity of assessment instruments, RCT of therapies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. The intervention measures primarily comprise three types of high-frequency phrases that are related, as determined by keyword analysis: intelligent rehabilitation, physical factor therapy, and occupational therapy. Current areas of focus in research include randomized clinical trials, neurorehabilitation, and robot-assisted therapy. Current research has shown a growing interest in studying upper limb function assessment, occupational therapy, physical therapy, robot-assisted therapy, virtual reality, brain-computer interface, telerehabilitation, cortical reorganisation, and neural plasticity. These topics have become popular and are expected to be the focus of future research.

Influence of breastfeeding type and gender on child development: differences in global and fine motor skills.

There are few studies that approach the subject of breastfeeding related to the development of motor skills. The study aimed to verify if there are differences in the global and fine motor skills, considering the variables gender and type of breastfeeding, in children from 18 to 44 months. We developed a quantitative correctional typology, being a cross-sectional study with a sample of 128 children of both genders. The instruments used in the study were the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales-2, and to assess the profile of the children a questionnaire was delivered to the parents. To test the normality of the sample, we applied the Kolmogorov-Smirnov Test and the Shapiro-Wilk Test. The Mann-Whitney U-Test was used for independent samples, also calculating the effect size. The boys obtained higher mean values in all motor skills, except for the fine motor skills and fine motricity, and in these, the girls obtainied the higher mean values. With respect to the inferential analysis, concerning the variable gender, there are statistically significant differences (P<0.00) in the variables: locomotor skills, object handling skills, global motricity and global motor quotient (P=0.017) the boys exhibiting the higher values, which means the better performances. We also verify that children who were not breastfed with breast milk, through feeding bottle with replacement milk, obtained higher mean values in all motor skills when compared to the ones who were breastfed with breast milk, and there is a statistically significant difference in the variable fine manipulation skills (P=0.024). Male children obtained better results in all motor skills, except for fine motricity, comparing with female children. Regarding breastfeeding, the children who were not breastfed with breast milk, show better results, mainly in Fine manipulation skills, which may be due to the previous need to handle the bottle on early age.

Combined Virtual-Reality- and Gym-Based Physical Activity Intervention for Children With a Developmental Disability: Effects on Physical Activity Levels, Motor Skills, and Social Skills.

This study examined the effects of a combined virtual-reality- and gym-based physical activity (PA) program on PA levels, motor skills, and social skills of children with a developmental disability (DD). Twenty-five children with DD were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The intervention was conducted for 60min, two times a week, for 12weeks. Pre- and postintervention assessments encompassing PA levels measured via Gravity Estimator of Normal Everyday Activity, motor skills evaluated using the Test of Gross Motor Development-Third Edition, and social skills gauged via the Social Skills Rating System-Parent were conducted. Additionally, a follow-up assessment was administered to the experimental group 12weeks postintervention. The findings unequivocally demonstrate that the combined virtual-reality- and gym-based PA program yielded significant enhancements in PA levels, motor skills, and social skills among children with DD in the experimental group. Notably, these improvements were sustained 12weeks after the intervention. These findings may help professionals develop and implement better PA programs for children with DD.

Cross-Sectional Survey of Gender Differences in Gross Motor Skills Among Preschool Children in Jinhua City, China

BackgroundWhile gender differences in ball skills are widely recognized, the differences in locomotor skills remain unclear. This study aims to explore these gender differences among preschool children in Jinhua City, China, and to examine the influence of evolutionary factors and local cultural activities on these skills. MethodsA cluster random sampling method was employed to select 777 preschool children aged 5.1 to 6.7 years from seven kindergartens in Jinhua, Zhejiang Province, Eastern China. The Test of Gross Motor Development-Third Edition (TGMD-3) was used to assess GMS, including locomotor and ball skills. ResultsBoys outperformed girls in ball skills, such as underhand throwing, catching, two-handed striking, and kicking. However, no significant overall gender differences were found in locomotor skills. A deeper analysis revealed that boys excelled in running-related tasks, whereas girls performed better in skipping-related tasks. These findings suggest that TGMD-3 locomotor skills should be divided into running-related and jumping-related categories. The results also show that not all ball skills are dominated by boys, indicating the impact of environmental factors. The findings highlight the role of both evolutionary factors and local cultural activities in shaping these specific gender differences. ConclusionThe study's cross-sectional design provides a snapshot of existing gender differences in motor skills among preschool children. The results suggest the need for gender-sensitive physical education programs to address these disparities early on. Future research should utilize longitudinal methods and objective measures to further understand the development of these skills over time and the underlying factors contributing to these differences.

The influence of 12-week different swimming technic trainings on adolescents' motor skills

The influence of 12-week different swimming technic trainings on adolescents' motor skills

The Impact of Augmented Reality on Motor Skills in Piano Education: Improving the Left-Hand Technique with AR Piano

This study investigates the impact of augmented reality (AR) technologies on the development of motor skills, specifically left-hand piano playing skills, among piano students. The paper employed the AR Piano application, which generates three-dimensional, intuitively understandable visualizations aimed at facilitating the piano learning process, thereby minimizing the cognitive load on students. The Piano Proficiency Test-2 was used to analyze piano playing skills. The sample consisted of 297 right-handed third-year students from three educational institutions in China. According to the post-test results, the experimental group, which underwent training utilizing augmented reality (AR) technology, exhibited significantly greater skill level improvement following the experimental period compared to the control group. These findings suggest a positive effect of AR technology application on the development of motor skills and may provide valuable insights to researchers exploring the application of AR technologies in diverse educational settings, particularly for musical instrument instruction.

Effect of Functional Training on Fundamental Motor Skills Among Children: A Systematic Review

ObjectivesFundamental motor skills (FMS) are the foundation of children’s movement, requiring tailored training and guidance for development. As an emerging training method, functional training is optimistic in promoting the development of children’s fundamental motor skills. However, current studies have not assessed the effect of functional training on fundamental motor skills. This review aims to address this gap by evaluating the effects of functional training on fundamental motor skills. DesignA search was conducted in five databases: PubMed, Scopus, ProQuest, Web of Science, and SPORT Discus, from January 2000 to June 2023. MethodThis search followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. ResultsThe results of the search identified a total of twenty-six articles. Improvements were primarily demonstrated in the three main areas of fundamental motor skills: locomotor skills (n = 17), balance skills (n = 10), and object control skills (n = 2). ConclusionsThe results suggest that functional training programs can improve children’s fundamental motor skills. Existing evidence also concludes that functional training significantly impacts locomotor and balance skills, whereas further research is required to confirm its positive effects on object control skills.

Diagnostic accuracy of the lactate stress test for detecting mitochondrial disorders: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Due to their variable phenotypes, mitochondrial disorders (MDs) can be difficult to diagnose. The absolute load lactate stress test (LSTA) and the relative load lactate stress test (LSTR) have been shown to be useful screening tools for the detection of MDs. In this study, we aimed to perform a meta-analysis to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of these tests in detecting MDs. The study protocol was registered with PROSPERO (no. CRD42022331710). We performed a comprehensive search of PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus from January 10th, 2022 to July 27th, 2022 and included case-control and cohort diagnostic studies that targeted participants with MDs and used LSTA and/or LSTR as index tests. Two reviewers worked separately to compile information from selected articles. Risk of bias and applicability were assessed using the QUADAS-2 tool. Sensitivity and specificity, as well as diagnostic odds ratios (DORs) and area under the curve (AUC) were calculated using Meta-DiSc 2.0 and Stata software. The analysis included 14 studies with a total of 1064 participants, divided into six studies with 793 participants for LSTA and eight studies with 271 participants for LSTR. For LSTA the meta-analysis gave a pooled sensitivity of 0.67 (95 % CI 0.62, 0.72), a specificity of 0.93 (95 % CI 0.85, 0.97), DOR of 26.63 (95 % CI 10.99, 64.52), and AUC of 0.70 (95 % CI 0.66, 0.74). For LSTR, the pooled sensitivity was 0.52 (95 % CI 0.33, 0.70), specificity 0.94 (95 % CI 0.79, 0.99), DOR 18.14 (95 % CI 2.99, 109.85), and the AUC 0.80 (95 % CI 0.76, 0.83). LSTA and LSTR showed as screening tests moderate sensitivity and high specificity for MD diagnosis, particularly for LSTR. The choice of test may depend on the patient's individual aerobic capacity and motor skills and the availability of equipment.

Does Delivery Format Matter? A Pilot Study Comparing Telehealth Versus Face-to-Face Movement Interventions for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have motor, social communication, and behavioral challenges. During the pandemic, children lost access to face-to-face (F2F) services and had to revert to telehealth (TH) options. We compared the efficacy, fidelity, acceptability, and feasibility of a general motor (GM) intervention using an F2F or telehealth (TH) format. Fifteen children with ASD participated in an 8-week program involving gross motor games to promote motor and social communication skills. Differences across TH and F2F formats for motor and socially directed verbalization as well as stakeholder feedback on formats were collected. Gross motor and socially directed verbalization did not differ between the F2F and TH subgroups, and parents and trainers were satisfied with either format. However, TH interventions were longer, had more technological challenges, and required more parental effort. The findings of this study support the use of TH as a comparable and viable substitute for F2F interactions for children with ASD.

Cognition Assessment in Virtual Reality (CAVIR): Associations with neuropsychological performance and activities of daily living in patients with mood or psychosis spectrum disorders

BackgroundMore ecologically valid tools are needed to better capture daily-life cognitive impairments in patients with mood or psychosis spectrum disorders in clinical settings and cognitive treatment trials. We developed the Cognition Assessment in Virtual Reality (CAVIR) test, which assesses daily-life cognitive skills in an immersive virtual reality kitchen scenario. This study investigated the validity and sensitivity of CAVIR, including its association with activities of daily living (ADL) ability. Methods70 symptomatically stable patients with mood or psychosis spectrum disorders and 70 healthy controls completed CAVIR and standard neuropsychological tests and were rated for clinical symptoms, functional capacity, and subjective cognition. In addition, patients' ADL ability was evaluated with the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS). ResultsHigher global CAVIR performance correlated moderately with better global neuropsychological test scores (rs(138) = 0.60, p < 0.001) and showed a weak to moderate association with better ADL process ability in patients (r(45) = 0.40, p < 0.01), also after adjusting for sex and age (ps ≤ 0.03). In comparison, neuropsychological performance, interviewer- and performance-based functional capacity, and subjective cognition were not significantly associated with ADL process ability (ps ≥ 0.09). Further, CAVIR was sensitive to cognitive impairments in patients and was able to differentiate between patients with and without the ability to undertake regular employment. LimitationsThe modest sample size and concomitant medication. ConclusionOur results indicate that CAVIR is a sensitive measure of daily-life cognitive skills in patients with mood or psychosis spectrum disorders.