Motor planning in children with cerebral palsy: A longitudinal perspective. Issue 6 (3rd July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lust, Jessica Mireille; Spruijt, Steffie; Wilson, Peter H.; Steenbergen, Bert
• Is Part Of: Journal of clinical and experimental neuropsychology. Volume 40:Issue 6(2018)
• Page Start: 559
• Page End: 566
• Publication Date: 2018-07-03
• Subjects: Anticipatory action planning -- cerebral palsy -- CP -- development -- motor planning; Neuropsychology -- Periodicals; Psychophysiology -- Periodicals; Neurosciences -- Periodicals; Psychophysiology -- Periodicals; Societies, Medical -- Periodicals; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1080/13803395.2017.1387645
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1380-3395

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Introduction : Motor planning is important for daily functioning. Deficits in motor planning can result in slow, inefficient, and clumsy motor behavior and are linked to disruptions in performance of activities of daily living in children with cerebral palsy (CP). However, the evidence in CP is primarily based on cross-sectional data. Method : Data are presented on the development of motor planning in children with CP using a longitudinal design with three measurement occasions, each separated by 1 year. Twenty-two children with CP (9 boys, 13 girls; age in years;months, M = 7;1, SD = 1;2) and 22 age-matched controls (10 boys, 12 girls, M = 7;1, SD = 1;3) participated. Children performed a bar transport task in which some conditions ("critical angles") required participants to sacrifice initial posture comfort in order to achieve end-state comfort. Performance on critical trials was analyzed using linear growth curve modeling. Results : In general, children with CP showed poor end-state planning for critical angles. Importantly, unlike in controls, motor planning ability did not improve across the three measurement occasions in children with CP. Conclusion : These longitudinal results show that motor planning issues in CP do not resolve with development over childhood. Strategies to enhance motor planning are suggested for intervention.