Quantitative reference curves for associated movements in children and adolescents
Theo Gasser1, Valentin Rousson, Jon Caflisch
1Department of Biostatistics, University of Zurich, Switzerland. tgasser@ifspm@unizh.ch
Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology
|July 20, 2007
Summary
The intensity of contralateral associated movements (AMs) effectively measures movement quality. This study found that AMs decrease with age and task complexity, with females exhibiting fewer AMs than males.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Motor Control
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Contralateral associated movements (AMs) are involuntary movements occurring on the opposite side of the body during voluntary action.
- Assessing the quality of motor control often involves evaluating the presence and characteristics of AMs.
- Existing methods for quantifying AMs, such as frequency and degree, have limitations in providing continuous data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and validate the intensity of contralateral associated movements (AMs) as a measure of movement quality.
- To establish normative centile curves for AM intensity using the Zurich Neuromotor Assessment (ZNA).
- To investigate the influence of age, sex, and side on AM intensity in a pediatric population.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Zurich Neuromotor Assessment (ZNA), a standardized procedure for evaluating motor performance.
- Recruited 593 right-handed participants (286 males, 307 females) aged 5 to 18.5 years without disabilities.
- Measured motor tasks based on timed performance, frequency, degree, and intensity of contralateral associated movements, calculating centile curves for intensity.
Main Results:
- Intensity of AMs provided quasi-continuous data, allowing for centile curve calculation, unlike frequency and degree.
- Demonstrated good inter- and intraobserver reliability for the ZNA's assessment of AM intensity.
- Observed a decrease in AMs with increasing age and task complexity, with females consistently showing fewer AMs than males. Minor side differences were noted.
Conclusions:
- The intensity of contralateral associated movements (AMs) presents significant clinical and scientific advantages for quantifying movement quality.
- Normative data and centile curves for AM intensity are established, aiding in the interpretation of motor development.
- Findings highlight developmental trends in AMs, with significant sex-based differences and age-related decreases, providing valuable insights into neuromotor development.
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