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Asymmetric Walkway: A Novel Behavioral Assay for Studying Asymmetric Locomotion
Published on: January 15, 2016
Motor Characteristics of Early Walking in Children With Williams Syndrome
Gloria K Yoshkova1, Joanna Moss1, Emily K Farran1
1School of Psychology, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK.
Insights
Children with Williams Syndrome (WS) walk later but with similar overall quality compared to neurotypical peers, showing subtle motor differences. Early walking analysis in WS reveals atypical strategies, informing interventions.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Neuroscience
- Motor Control
Background:
- Motor difficulties are characteristic of Williams Syndrome (WS).
- Limited research exists on early walking quality in children with WS.
- Understanding early motor development in WS is crucial for interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the motor characteristics of first unsupported walking in toddlers with WS and neurotypical (NT) peers.
- To analyze gait quality and symmetry in young children with WS.
- To identify subtle motor strategies associated with early walking in WS.
Main Methods:
- Observational, between-subjects design comparing 20 children with WS to 24 NT children.
- Analysis of home videos using the Walking Observation Scale (WOS) for gait quality.
- Assessment of gait symmetry using the Positional Pattern for Symmetry during Walking (PPSW).
Main Results:
- Children with WS had a significantly later age of independent walking onset.
- No significant differences in overall gait quality were found between groups.
- WS children exhibited marginally more out-toeing and greater gait symmetry (though not age-adjusted).
Conclusions:
- Walking onset is delayed in WS, but gait quality is not substantially different.
- Subtle atypical motor strategies characterize early walking in WS.
- Fine-grained analysis of early motor development is essential for understanding WS and informing interventions.
Abstract:
Background: Motor difficulties are a hallmark feature of Williams Syndrome (WS), yet limited research exists on the quality of early walking in this population. Purpose: This study examined the motor characteristics of first unsupported walking in toddlers with WS compared to neurotypical (NT) peers. Research design: The study used an observational between-subjects design, analysing data from a single time point. Study Sample: Twenty children with WS (age in days at first walking onset: M = 791.75 days, SD = 147.51) were compared to 24 NT children (M = 395.67 days, SD = 72.17). Data analysis: Home videos from children with WS and NT children were analysed using two observational frameworks: the Walking Observation Scale (WOS; Esposito & Venuti, 2008) to evaluate gait quality, and the Positional Pattern for Symmetry during Walking (PPSW; Esposito et al., 2011) to assess gait symmetry. Results: Age of independent walking onset differed significantly between groups. There were no significant differences in overall gait quality, but a significant interaction demonstrated different profiles of gait quality. Axis-specific analyses revealed a significant interaction with group for foot atypicality only. This was due to the WS children showing marginally more out-toeing than the NT group. Analysis of gait symmetry identified significantly greater symmetry during walking in the WS group compared to NT peers. However, this effect did not remain significant when age was partialled out. Conclusion: Walking in WS is delayed, but does not differ substantially in quality. Instead, it is marked by subtle atypical motor strategies. These results emphasise the importance of fine-grained analysis of early motor development. Motor atypicalities may be antecedents of later difficulties and thus can inform targeted interventions and shed light on developmental mechanisms.
