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Published on: August 30, 2019
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Consequences of vestibular hypofunction in children with ADHD/DCD
Tamar Gur-Hartman1, Ricardo Tarrasch2, Ayelet Zerem3
1School of Psychological Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Israel; Pediatric Neurology Unit, Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel.
Summary
Vestibular hypofunction may underlie imbalance, anxiety, and spatial disorientation in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This profile is more common in children with ADHD and Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), suggesting a need for vestibular rehabilitation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pediatrics
- Vestibular System Research
Background:
- Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) exhibit diverse sensorimotor, emotional, and cognitive profiles.
- Non-core symptoms frequently include sensorimotor imbalance, anxiety, and spatial disorientation.
- Previous research links these dysfunctions to vestibular hypofunction in other populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if a subgroup of children with ADHD presents with vestibular hypofunction.
- To determine if this subgroup exhibits concurrent imbalance, anxiety, and spatial disorientation.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated children with ADHD-only (n=28), ADHD + Developmental Coordination Disorder (ADHD+DCD; n=38), and Typical Development (TD; n=19).
- Assessed vestibular function using the Dynamic Visual Acuity test (DVA-t).
- Measured balance (BOT-2), panic anxiety (SCARED-C), and spatial navigation (TC-t).
Main Results:
- Children with ADHD showed higher rates of vestibular hypofunction (65%), imbalance (42%), panic anxiety (27%), and spatial disorientation (30%) compared to TD (0%).
- ADHD+DCD group had more severe vestibular hypofunction and imbalance than ADHD-only group.
- 33% of children with ADHD had all three comorbidities, linked to vestibular hypofunction.
Conclusions:
- Vestibular hypofunction may be the shared cause of imbalance, anxiety, and spatial disorientation in children.
- These comorbidities are more prevalent in ADHD+DCD, suggesting a link to DCD.
- Children with this profile may benefit from vestibular rehabilitation.
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