Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 24, 2026
Quantified Assessment of Infant's Gross Motor Abilities Using a Multisensor Wearable
Published on: May 17, 2024
Motor learning and working memory in children born preterm: a systematic review
Marjolein Jongbloed-Pereboom1, Anjo J W M Janssen, Bert Steenbergen
1Radboud University Nijmegen, Behavioural Science Institute, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. M.Jongbloed-Pereboom@pwo.ru.nl
Insights
Preterm birth impacts children's motor and cognitive skills. This review found limited research on motor learning and working memory in preterm children, highlighting a need for future studies to improve interventions.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Children born preterm face increased risks for motor, cognitive, and behavioral issues.
- Working memory is crucial for explicit motor skill learning, but its relationship with motor learning in preterm infants is understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review motor learning, visual working memory, and the role of working memory in motor learning specifically within the preterm child population.
- To identify research gaps concerning the interplay between motor learning and working memory in preterm children.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review of four databases was performed, identifying 38 relevant articles.
- Articles were assessed for methodological quality, with a focus on studies involving preterm children.
Main Results:
- Only 4 out of 38 articles specifically addressed motor learning in preterm children.
- Thirty-four studies indicated that preterm birth negatively affects visual working memory performance.
- Crucial information on motor learning and the influence of working memory on its components in preterm children was notably absent.
Conclusions:
- There is a significant lack of research on motor learning and its relationship with working memory in preterm children.
- Future research is essential to explore this relationship, potentially leading to evidence-based interventions for this vulnerable population.
Abstract:
Children born preterm have a higher risk for developing motor, cognitive, and behavioral problems. Motor problems can occur in combination with working memory problems, and working memory is important for explicit learning of motor skills. The relation between motor learning and working memory has never been reviewed. The goal of this review was to provide an overview of motor learning, visual working memory and the role of working memory on motor learning in preterm children. A systematic review conducted in four databases identified 38 relevant articles, which were evaluated for methodological quality. Only 4 of 38 articles discussed motor learning in preterm children. Thirty-four studies reported on visual working memory; preterm birth affected performance on visual working memory tests. Information regarding motor learning and the role of working memory on the different components of motor learning was not available. Future research should address this issue. Insight in the relation between motor learning and visual working memory may contribute to the development of evidence based intervention programs for children born preterm.
Related Concept Videos
01:14Role of Cerebellum and Prefrontal Cortex in Memory
01:30Information Processing Approach