The Consistency of the Magnitude of the ATNR Response in Normal Preschool Children
1a Assistant Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, Rancho Los Amigos Campus, Downey, CA, 90242.
Insights
The study found that measuring the asymmetric tonic neck reflex (ATNR) response in young children is reliable. Therapists can consistently use ATNR magnitude as a dependable clinical measure.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Neuroscience
- Motor Control
Background:
- The asymmetric tonic neck reflex (ATNR) is a primitive reflex crucial for early motor development.
- Clinical inquiries into the ATNR's normality, incidence, and response magnitude in healthy children necessitate reliable measurement methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the consistency and reproducibility of electrogoniometric measurements of the ATNR response in children.
- To determine if ATNR magnitude is a reliable indicator in pediatric assessments.
Main Methods:
- Electrogoniometric assessment of ATNR response in 40 three- and five-year-old children.
- Sixteen measurement repetitions across quadrupedal and supine postures.
- Randomized sequencing of left and right head rotations.
Main Results:
- No significant effect of repetition on ATNR measurement was observed.
- Statistically significant reliability was demonstrated for both average and single-trial ATNR measurements.
- The magnitude of the ATNR response proved to be a consistent and reproducible measure.
Conclusions:
- The electrogoniometric measurement of ATNR magnitude is a reliable tool for assessing children.
- Therapists can confidently utilize ATNR response magnitude in clinical practice.
- This finding supports the use of ATNR assessment in understanding normal pediatric development.
Abstract:
Clinical questions regarding the ATNR have stimulated study of the normality of its presence, frequency of its incidence and magnitude of response in normal populations of young children. This study assesses the consistency or reproducibility of electrogoniometric measurement of the ATNR response in 40 three- and five-year-old children. Sixteen repetitions included quadrupedal and supine postures, with left and right head rotations randomly sequenced. Data analysis showed no significant effect related to repetition and statistically significant reliability on the average and for any single trial. Therapists may consider the magnitude of the ATNR response a consistent, reliable measure.
