Children's Speed Research Articles

The effectiveness of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on information processing speed in children with intellectual disability

PurposeThe speed of information processing is known to play an important role in mental disorders; This study investigated the effect of the transcranial direct current stimulation on information processing speed in children with intellectual disabilities. MethodAn experimental design with a pretest- posttest control group was used. The study population consisted of 8- to 14-year-old children with intellectual disabilities attending special primary schools in Urmia, Iran. 36 children were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups (18 for each group). The experimental group received 10 sessions of tDCS with anode positioned over the F3 electrode (left DLPFC) and cathode over F4 (right DLPFC) The control group did not receive any intervention. Trail Making Test (TMT) was used to assess information processing speed. Data were analyzed using MANCOVA. ResultsThe results revealed that tDCS led to a significant increase in information processing speed in the experimental group compared to the control group. ConclusionThis study demonstrates that tDCS applied to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) is effective in enhancing information processing speed in children with intellectual disabilities. These finding have important implications for the development of interventions aimed at improving cognitive functioning in children with intellectual disabilities.

Impact of Parent-Child Paired Reading on Reading Fluency in Children with Intellectual Disabilities: A Single-Subject Study

Children with intellectual disabilities (ID) face difficulties in reading fluency, which may hinder their overall reading development. To address this challenge, this study investigated the impact of parent-child pairing reading on reading accuracy and speed in children with intellectual disabilities. Three children with ID participated in this cross-subject multi-baseline single-subject study and their parents were trained to use paired reading strategies to engage in a six week reading activity with them. The study was divided into three stages, with participants without reading guidance during the baseline and maintenance periods. During the intervention period, parents used paired reading strategies to guide their children in reading. Data were collected and analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences and interviews with parents who participated in the study were conducted to assist with assessment of the intervention results. After intervention, all three children showed better reading accuracy than the baseline period, indicating the effectiveness of the intervention. The intervention had little effect on the reading speed of the three participants, but it gradually improved during the maintenance period. Each of the parents held a positive attitude toward the effectiveness and applicability of parent-child paired reading in children with intellectual disabilities. The results of this preliminary study indicate that training and guiding parents to implement paired reading strategies can effectively improve reading fluency in children with intellectual disabilities.

Early nutritional influences on brain regions related to processing speed in children born preterm: A secondary analysis of a randomized trial.

Processing speed is a foundational skill supporting intelligence and executive function, areas often delayed in preterm-born children. The impact of early-life nutrition on gray matter facilitating processing speed for this vulnerable population is unknown. Magnetic resonance imaging and the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-IV Processing Speed Index were acquired in forty 5-year-old children born preterm with very low birth weight. Macronutrient (grams per kilogram per day) and mother's milk (percentage of feeds) intakes were prospectively collected in the first postnatal month and associations between early-life nutrition and the primary outcome of brain regions supporting processing speed were investigated. Children had a mean (SD) gestational age of 27.8 (1.8) weeks and 45% were male. Macronutrient intakes were unrelated, but mother's milk was positively related, to greater volumes in brain regions, including total cortical gray matter, cingulate gyri, and occipital gyri. First postnatal month macronutrient intakes showed no association, but mother's milk was positively associated, with volumetric measures of total and regional cortical gray matter related to processing speed in preterm-born children. This exploratory analysis suggests early-life mother's milk supports processing speed by impacting structural underpinnings. Further research is needed on this potential strategy to improve preterm outcomes.

Investigation of the Relationship Between Attention Level and Reading Speed in Children

Investigation of the Relationship Between Attention Level and Reading Speed in Children

Effect of background color on visual perception of text in children with ophthalmopathology

Background: Functional and organic ophthalmopathology can cause reading diffi culties in children. Color diagnostics and color correction represent promising areas in the care of such patients. However, there are currently very few publications devoted to this topic. Purpose: The aim is to determine the most effective Methods for assessing the effect of color on visual acuity and reading speed in children with ophthalmopathology. Materials and methods: A total of 51 schoolchildren aged 10 to 16 years were observed, divided into: 1) 17 children the control group with high visual acuity; 2) 17 children with mild bilateral amblyopia; 3) 17 children with congenital partial atrophy of the optic nerve of both eyes (PAON). To study the effect of the color background on visual perception in all groups, we used: 1) the B.Bourdon test with paper of different colors; 2) assessment of visual acuity with a standard test and with colored overlays; 3) eading speed assessment on a white background and with colored overlays. Results: Indicators of the volume of attention according to the B. Bourdon test with a pink background were lower in the group of children with PAON compared with children with amblyopia (p = 0.012). Signifi cantly less attention with a blue background was observed in the group of children with PAON compared with the control group (p = 0.04). The use of individually selected color overlays allowed 64.7 % of children with amblyopia and 76.5 % of children with PAON to increase visual acuity for close range by 0.1–0.2, as well as increase reading speed by 17.6–19.2 % in amblyopes and by 31.1–31.2 % in children with PAON. Conclusion: The use of color overlays is the most effective and convenient method for assessing the impact of color on visual functions. The individual selection of color overlays in most children with amblyopia and PAON improves visual acuity for close range and increases reading speed.

The Effect of Hand Paddle and Push Up Exercises to Increase Swimming Speed in Children Aged 11-12 Years

This study aims to determine how influential the use of Hand Paddle media and Push Up Exercises are to increase freestyle swimming speed in children aged 11-12 years. This study used Quantitative research methods and Experimental research types, Freestyle swimming test using one-group pre-test post-test design for 10 treatments, This study was as many as 20 students from extracurricular swimming at SDN Pasir benteng 2 with Purposive Sampling sampling technique, The results of descriptive analysis showed a significant decrease in swimming time for both groups. The average swimming time of the Hand Paddle group decreased from 35.66 seconds in the Pre Test to 29.82 seconds in the Post Test, while the Push Up group decreased from 37.41 seconds to 35.35 seconds, These findings suggest that both interventions have been successful in increasing swimming speed.

Processing Speed in Gifted Children: A Clinical Neuropsychological Perspective

ABSTRACT Children with gifted intellects often earn lower scores on measures of processing speed than their nongifted counterparts. However, neuropsychological research indicates such a profile of scores is likely not due to a true innate neurocognitive processing speed deficit but is rather a statistical artifact resulting from the interference of common cognitive and behavioral idiosyncrasies inherent to giftedness, such as perfectionism and an aversion to completing paper and pencil tasks. The first aim of this study is to identify and explain the relative underperformance of children with gifted intellects on measures of processing speed. The second aim is to develop a neuropsychologically informed framework for clinically assessing processing speed in children with gifted intellects using alternative measures from the WISC–V. Clinical implications are discussed as they relate to the relative disabling effects of common gifted-related idiosyncrasies on the expression of their otherwise intact neuropsychological capabilities.

Development of Speed in Children Aged 11 to 12 Years Practicing Athletics - Quasi-experimental Non-randomized Study

Development of Speed in Children Aged 11 to 12 Years Practicing Athletics - Quasi-experimental Non-randomized Study

Network connectivity underlying information processing speed in children: Application of a pediatric brain tumor survivor injury model

Elucidating how adaptive and maladaptive changes to the structural connectivity of brain networks influences neural synchrony, and how this structure–function coupling impacts cognition is an important question in human neuroscience. This study assesses these links in the default mode and executive control networks during resting state, a visual-motor task, and through computational modeling in the developing brain and in acquired brain injuries. Pediatric brain tumor survivors were used as an injury model as they are known to exhibit cognitive deficits, structural connectivity compromise, and perturbations in neural communication. Focusing on information processing speed to assess cognitive performance, we demonstrate that during the presence and absence of specific task demands, structural connectivity of these critical brain networks directly influences neural communication and information processing speed, and white matter compromise has an indirect adverse impact on reaction time via perturbed neural synchrony. Further, when our experimentally acquired structural connectomes simulated neural activity, the resulting functional simulations aligned with our empirical results and accurately predicted cognitive group differences. Overall, our synergistic findings further our understanding of the neural underpinnings of cognition and when it is perturbed. Further establishing alterations in structural–functional coupling as biomarkers of cognitive impairments could facilitate early intervention and monitoring of these deficits.

Evaluating the Efficacy of a Serious Game in Enhancing Word Reading Speed

Dyslexia is a Specific Learning Disorder (SLD) characterized by subpar reading abilities in terms of accuracy and/or speed. Dyslexia can have a lifelong negative impact on academic and day-to-day life. However, early identification and subsequent training can help dyslexic children overcome their reading difficulties. For instance, tachistoscopic reading, a technique that involves presenting words for a brief period, has been shown to improve reading speed. Technological tools, such as serious games, can also be useful, and governments encourage their use to enhance the management of SLDs. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of a serious game called Tachistoscopio in improving reading speed in children. The game began with a short calibration process, followed by the presentation of a word for a brief duration. The user was then asked to write the word. We tested it on children, carrying out the pictorial system usability scale to assess usability and investigating the effect of class and gender through Mann-Whitney U tests. We determined it had excellent usability and could effectively adapt to users’ abilities, as third graders performed significantly better than second graders (p<0.001). Following the success of this preliminary phase, 36 second-grade children, split into two groups, participated in a training study: 18 children underwent a three-week training phase with the game, while the remaining 18 children served as the control group. Before the training, we assessed all children’s reading abilities using standardized word reading and vocabulary tests. The training involved four 20-item sessions per week. We then collected the reading performance of both groups again and used Mann-Whitney and interval estimates to test for statistically significant difference between the reading speed increments in the two groups. Their confidence intervals did not overlap (training: [0.11; 0.33], control: [-0.10; 0.05]), which suggests a significant difference between them. These findings suggest that Tachistoscopio may be an effective intervention tool for improving reading speed in dyslexic children.

Executive Function and Processing Speed in Children Living with Sickle Cell Anemia.

Executive function and processing speed difficulties are observed in children living with sickle cell anemia (SCA). The influence of processing speed on executive function is not well understood. We recruited 59 children living with SCA and 24 matched controls aged 8-18 years between 2010 and 2016 from clinics in the UK. Children completed tests in processing speed and cognitive flexibility, subdomains of executive function. MRI scans were conducted within one year of testing; oxygen saturation was obtained on the day of testing. Hemoglobin levels were obtained from medical records. Caregivers completed the executive function questionnaire. Hierarchical linear regressions found that hemoglobin, oxygen saturation, age, infarct status, and processing speed were not independent predictors for any model. However, for all cognitive flexibility tests, there was a significant interaction between infarct status and processing speed; children without silent cerebral infarction (SCI) with faster processing speed had better cognitive flexibility. Our findings indicate that, when interpreting executive function difficulties, it is important to account for the relationship between SCI status and processing speed. More research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms, but clinically, including executive function testing as part of clinic visits by embedding psychologists within the healthcare team would appear to be a critical step.

Addition of backward walking training to forward walking training improves walking speed in children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

The objective was to examine the effects of backward walking training for improving walking speed and balance in children with cerebral palsy. A systematic review of randomized trials was conducted. Trials had to include children with cerebral palsy, with a Gross Motor Function Classification System, between I and III, that delivered backward walking training as a solo intervention or in combination with forward walking training. The outcomes of interest were walking speed and balance. The methodological quality of included trials was assessed by the PEDro scale, and the quality of evidence was assessed according to Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation. Eight papers, involving 156 participants, were included. Using random-effects meta-analysis, we estimated that backward walking training improved walking speed by 0.10 m/s [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.05-0.16] and by 2 points on the Pediatric Balance Scale (0-56) (95% CI 1.5-2.2) more than forward walking training. We also estimated that the addition of backward walking training increased walking speed by 0.20 m/s (95% CI 0.07-0.34) and reduced the angular excursion of the center of gravity by 0.5 degrees (95% CI -0.7 to -0.3). The quality of the evidence was classified as low to moderate. In conclusion, overall, backward walking training appears to be as effective or slightly superior to forward walking training for improving walking speed in children with CP. The addition of backward walking training statistically significantly and clinically important enhanced benefits on walking speed.

Processing Speed in Children with Traumatic Brain Injury

Abstract: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common cause of childhood morbidity and mortality. Information processing speed (IPS) is a central construct of neuropsychology and a mediator for a range of cognitive functions. In adults, the negative effects of TBI on IPS are well documented. This review qualitatively describes the impact of TBI on IPS in children and adolescents and examines various influencing factors. We included a total of 37 studies in the review that explored IPS using various clinical assessments. These clinical assessments often examine other neuropsychological functions besides IPS. In 29 of these studies, we found a negative effect of TBI on IPS. While injury severity has small but consistent effects on IPS, the effects of age at injury, time since injury, and gender were less evident. Because it is a central construct of neuropsychological functions, IPS should be assessed after TBI.

The Effect of Puzzle-playing on Fine Motor Development in Preschool Children

Background: Development is developing human maturity and psychological processes that cannot be measured, such as increasing skills. The development speed in children is influenced by various factors such as the environment, health, nutrition, stimulation, and the role of parents. Fine motor development can be improved by applying the learning process and playing with interesting media, so children do not get bored easily. The media should be educative, like a puzzle game. Physiotherapy plays a role in preventing and reducing further complications that do not occur in children who experience fine motor delays. This research aims to determine the effect of giving puzzle games on fine motor development in preschool children.
 Methods: The method applied is a literature study by looking for theoretical references related to the research carried out. This literature review uses secondary data and information from journals collected from the Google Scholar, PubMed, and ScienceDirect databases over the last ten years as data sources.
 Results: Four studies discuss the impact of puzzle games on the fine motor development of preschool children. According to all journals, puzzle games impact the fine motor development of preschool-aged children. On average, about 25 children participate in each study.
 Conclusion: The findings obtained based on the literature that has been reviewed and the discussion state that giving puzzle games affects fine motor development in preschool children. The findings of this research can be used as a basis for puzzle therapy in children and are expected to be used to improve children's fine motor development through other games. There isn’t any clinical implication from this literature review.

Lower limb muscle fatigue after uphill walking in children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy.

Fatigue during walking is a common complaint in cerebral palsy (CP). The primary purpose of this study is to investigate muscle fatigue from surface electromyography (sEMG) measurements after a treadmill-based fatigue protocol with increasing incline and speed in children with CP with drop foot. The secondary purpose is to investigate whether changes in sagittal kinematics of hip, knee and ankle occur after fatigue. Eighteen subjects with unilateral spastic CP performed the protocol while wearing their ankle-foot orthosis and scored their fatigue on the OMNI scale of perceived exertion. The median frequency (MF) and root mean square (RMS) were used as sEMG measures for fatigue and linear mixed effects model were applied. The MF was significantly decreased in fatigued condition, especially in the affected leg and in the tibialis anterior and peroneus longus muscle. The RMS did not change significantly in fatigued condition, while the OMNI fatigue score indicated patients felt really fatigued. No changes in sagittal kinematics of hip, knee and ankle were found using statistical non-parametric mapping. In conclusion, the current fatigue protocol seems promising in inducing fatigue in a population with CP with drop foot and it could be used to expand knowledge on muscle fatigue during walking in CP.

Children with autism display altered ankle strategies when changing speed during over-ground gait

BackgroundExamining gait mechanics when altering speed has been used in various clinical populations to understand the pervasiveness of neurological impairments. Few studies have examined whether different gait mechanics exist when altering speed in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, although autism may present as a movement disorder due to abnormalities in the central nervous system. Most autism gait-related research has used preferred walking speed, while different speeds may yield discernible patterns that can be used for future interventions. The purpose of this study was to examine kinematic strategies used by children with autism in preferred, fast, and slow walking speeds. MethodsThree-dimensional kinematic data were obtained on 14 children (aged 8–17 years) during preferred, fast, and slow walking. Hip, knee, and ankle angular joint positions were examined at loading response, pre-swing, and terminal swing sub-phases due to their importance on forward propulsion and weight transfer. Repeated measures analyses of variance (α = 0.05) were used to test for statistical differences and effect sizes were interpreted with Cohen's d. FindingsAlthough significant differences were observed for each joint and sub-phase, the left and right ankle joints during pre-swing displayed the most consistent differences among conditions (p < 0.001, and p < 0.001), respectively. Additionally, the left ankle displayed a moderate effect size (η2 = 0.71) and the right ankle displayed a large effect size (η2 = 0.80). InterpretationsThese findings reveal that the ankle joint, during pre-swing, is the primary kinematic strategy used by children with autism when altering gait speed, whereas previous evidence suggests that the hip joint was the primary strategy.

Selective motor control correlates with gross motor ability, functional balance and gait performance in ambulant children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy

BackgroundSelective motor control (SMC) is a fundamental component of typical human motion. As a result of brain damage, impaired SMC often leads to difficulties with coordination, balance, gait efficiency and symmetry. Research questionWhat is the association between impaired SMC and lower limb motor ability, functional balance and gait performance in children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy (CP)? MethodsThirty-six children (aged 5–16 years) with spastic bilateral CP in Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level I to II were included in this study. SMC was assessed using Selective Control Assessment of the Lower Extremity (SCALE). Gross motor function was assessed using Gross Motor Function Measure-88 items D and E dimension (GMFM-88 D&E). Functional balance was assessed using Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) and Timed Up and Go Test (TUG). Gait quality was assessed using Edinburg Visual Gait Score (EVGS) and 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT). Spearman's rank correlation analyses were used to determine the association between SMC and other factors. ResultsCorrelation analyses showed that SCALE was strongly positively correlated with GMFM-88 (D&E) (rs=0.756, p < 0.001), PBS (rs=0.769, p < 0.001), and height-normalized fast walking speed (rs=0.632, p < 0.001), and strongly negatively correlated with TUG (rs=−0.766, p < 0.001) and EVGS (rs=−0.893, p < 0.001). SignificanceLower extremity SMC deficits are associated with poor gross motor function and balance control, more severe overall gait deviations and decreased fast walking speed in children with bilateral spastic CP. Physical therapy should include interventions that promote selective motor control in order to improve overall functional ability.

3.118 Sluggish Cognitive Tempo and Processing Speed in Children With a Reading Disorder

Sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) is a clinical construct that is characterized by daydreaming, lethargy, feeling and appearing tired, lacking motivation, mental confusion, and slowed behavior and thinking (Becker, 2021; Penny et al, 2009). Past literature has shown mixed findings regarding the association between SCT and processing speed in ADHD and community samples. However, the association has not been examined in children with reading disorder (RD), who face deficits in processing speed and have shown problems with SCT.

The Effect of Rapid Automatic Naming on Reading Readiness for Children with Reading Difficulties in Elementary School

In addition to phonological deficit, children who have difficulty in reading can also have RAN (rapid automatic naming) deficit or both. RAN is a strong predictor of the cause of reading difficulties and is a characteristic of reading disability or dyslexia. This study aims to know the impact of the rapid automatic naming intervention on dyslexic students in elementary schools. The research uses a quantitative approach to the Single Subject Research (SSR) method of A-B-A design. We tested the effect of teaching rapid automatic naming on the ability to quickly name objects, color digits, and letters in 4 subjects who had almost the same reading difficulties at the same grade level. The results showed that the teaching of rapid automatic naming affected increasing children's speed in naming objects, colors, digits, and letters. The significant effect of the rapid automatic naming teaching intervention shows that understanding the principles of rapid automatic naming is beneficial for students with dyslexia. The four experimental subjects showed an increase in the speed of naming objects, colors, digits, and letters after the intervention.

Walking speed influences spatiotemporal but not symmetry measures of gait in children and adolescents with hemiplegia

BackgroundThe measurement of gait is likely influenced by walking speed in children with hemiplegia, but this relationship is not well characterized. Research questionWhat is the influence of walking speed on spatiotemporal and symmetry measures of gait in children with hemiplegia, with consideration of side and footwear condition? MethodsChildren with hemiparetic gait due to stroke were recruited for a small pilot intervention study. Participants walked at self-selected and fast speeds while barefoot and while wearing shoes. Data from baseline sessions were included in this analysis. The influence of walking speed on five spatiotemporal gait measures was determined using a generalized estimating equation to calculate the proportion of variability in the gait measures that was explained by walking speed. Differences between sides and footwear conditions, and the relationships between walking speed and two symmetry measures, are also reported. ResultsA total of 820 steps were analyzed from ten children (11.2 ± 4.1 years). Walking velocity significantly influenced all spatiotemporal measures of gait. As speed increased, step length increased and all temporal measures decreased, on both paretic and nonparetic sides. Wearing shoes increased step length and stance time for both paretic and nonparetic sides, and slowed step time on the nonparetic side. Regardless of footwear, the paretic side demonstrated slower step and swing times, and faster stance and single support times. We did not observe significant relationships between walking speed and gait symmetry. SignificanceOur observations suggest that walking speed alone influences the spatiotemporal measurement of gait in children with hemiplegia and should be considered in the interpretation of walking function. Yet, controlling for walking speed is often not feasible or not preferred in this population. We offer suggestions for clinicians and researchers who seek to measure gait during overground walking at freely-selected speeds.