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Motor functions: associated primitive reflex profiles

A J Capute, B K Shapiro, P J Accardo

    Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology
    |October 1, 1982
    PubMed

    Insights

    Primitive reflexes, like the asymmetrical tonic neck reflex and Moro reflex, decrease as infants develop motor skills such as sitting and rolling. This suggests a coordinated reflex profile influences early volitional movement.

    Area of Science:

    • Developmental Pediatrics
    • Neuroscience
    • Infant Motor Development

    Background:

    • Primitive reflexes are automatic responses in infants.
    • These reflexes typically diminish as motor skills develop.
    • Understanding this transition is key to assessing normal development.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To evaluate the interaction between primitive reflexes and early motor activity in infants.
    • To determine the correlation between reflex suppression and motor milestone achievement.
    • To investigate if a 'primitive reflex profile' influences motor development.

    Main Methods:

    • Assessed asymmetrical tonic neck reflex, tonic labyrinthine reflex-supine, and Moro reflexes in 177 infants from birth to 12 months.
    • Collected data on rolling (prone-supine, supine-prone) and sitting alone from parents.
    • Analyzed correlations between reflex presence/absence and motor milestones.

    Main Results:

    • Statistically significant correlations found between decreased primitive reflex activity and the emergence of motor milestones.
    • Evidence suggests a combined 'primitive reflex profile' impacts motor function, not isolated reflexes.
    • Decreasing reflex activity is associated with the onset of volitional motor activity.

    Conclusions:

    • The diminishing of primitive reflexes is intrinsically linked to the development of voluntary motor control in infants.
    • A coordinated pattern of reflex activity, rather than individual reflexes, appears to govern early motor development.
    • This study supports the hypothesis that reduced primitive reflex activity facilitates the emergence of volitional movements.

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