Performance of children with learning difficulties in fine motor function and handwriting

This study aimed to compare and characterize the fine, sensory and perceptive function performance and handwriting quality between students with learning difficulties and students with good academic performance. Methods: This study comprised 192 students from 2nd to 4th grades, both genders, whose ages ranged from 7 to 11 years old. The students were distributed into: GI, GII, GIII and GIV, comprising 96 students with learning difficulties, and groups GV, GVI, GVII, GVIII comprising 96 students with good academic performance. The students were submitted to evaluation of fine motor, sensorial and perception functions and handwriting evaluation under dictation. Results: The results showed that the students with learning difficulties, from 1st to 3rd grade, had lower performance on tests of fine motor, sensory and perceptive function, when compared to the students with good academic performance in the same grade; the students from 4th grade, both groups, did not show changes on fine motor, sensory and perceptive function; and only the students of GII showed dysgraphia. Conclusions: the results presented in this study suggest that the qualitative aspects of fine motor, sensory and perceptive skills reflect the integrity and maturity of central nervous system and can probably play an important role in early diagnosis of development disorders and consequently prevent academic disorders such as handwriting performance.

Função motora fina, sensorial e perceptiva de escolares com transtorno do déficit de atenção com hiperatividade

OBJETIVO: Caracterizar e comparar as funções motoras fina, sensorial e perceptiva de escolares com Transtorno do Déficit de Atenção com Hiperatividade (TDAH) e escolares com bom desempenho escolar sem alterações de comportamento. MÉTODOS: Participaram 22 escolares do ensino fundamental, de gênero masculino, distribuídos em: GI - 11 escolares com Transtorno do Déficit de Atenção com Hiperatividade; e GII - 11 escolares com bom desempenho acadêmico e sem alterações de comportamento. Os escolares foram submetidos à aplicação do Protocolo de Avaliação da Função Motora Fina, Sensorial e Perceptiva e da Escala de Disgrafia. RESULTADOS: Houve diferença nas tarefas de função motora fina, função sensorial e função perceptiva entre o GI e o GII, com desempenho inferior do GI. Todos os escolares de GI apresentaram disgrafia. CONCLUSÃO: Escolares com Transtorno do Déficit de Atenção com Hiperatividade apresentam desempenho inferior aos escolares com bom desempenho acadêmico em relação às funções motoras fina, sensorial e perceptiva. Tais dificuldades podem causar impacto significativo sobre o desempenho acadêmico, uma vez que comprometem o desenvolvimento da linguagem escrita, ocasionando disgrafia nesses escolares.

Função motora fina de escolares com dislexia, distúrbio e dificuldades de aprendizagem

TEMA: função motora fina em escolares com dislexia, distúrbio e dificuldades de aprendizagem. OBJETIVO: este estudo teve por objetivo caracterizar o desempenho da função motora fina, sensorial e perceptiva em escolares com dislexia, distúrbio e dificuldades de aprendizagem e correlacionar estes achados à escrita destes escolares. MÉTODO: participaram deste estudo 80 escolares da 2ª à 4ª série do ensino fundamental, na faixa etária de 7 a 12 anos de idade, de ambos os gêneros, distribuídos em: GI: formado por 20 escolares com dislexia, GII: formado por 20 escolares com distúrbio de aprendizagem, GIII: formado por 20 escolares com dificuldades de aprendizagem e GIV: formado por 20 escolares sem dificuldades de aprendizagem. Os escolares foram submetidos à avaliação da função motora fina, sensorial e perceptiva e análise da escrita por meio da escala de disgrafia. RESULTADOS: os resultados evidenciaram que a maioria dos grupos apresentou desempenho inferior nas provas de FMF7 (oposição de dedos), S8 (grafoestesia) e P1 (imitar posturas). Os GI e GII foram os grupos que apresentaram desempenho inferior na maioria das provas em relação aos GIII e GIV. Quanto à grafia, observou-se que no GII todos os escolares são disgráficos. CONCLUSÃO: a presença de alterações motora fina, sensorial e perceptiva é característica de escolares com distúrbio de aprendizagem e dislexia, entretanto esta característica pode ou não ser encontrada nos escolares com dificuldades de aprendizagem, sendo, portanto, esta alteração responsável pelo comportamento disgráfico dos escolares com transtornos de aprendizagem deste estudo.

A gênese da organização fonético-fonológica da fala

Pós-graduação em Educação - FFC

Neuropatia diabética experimental: estudo da condução nervosa motora dos nervos ciático e caudal em ratos com diabetes induzidos pela aloxana

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Inteligência e ensino de ciências: um estudo fundamentado na epistemologia genética de Piaget

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Desempenho de escolares com dificuldades de aprendizagem em funçào motora fina e escrita

Aims: the aims of this study were to compare and to characterize the fine, sensory and perceptive function performance and handwritten quality between students with learning difficulties and students with good academic performance. GII, GIII and GIV: 96 students with learning difficulties, and groups GV, GVI, GVII, GVIII: 96 good academic performance. The students were submitted to evaluation of fine motor, sensorial and perception functions and handwriting evaluation under dictation. Results: the results show that the students with learning difficulties from 1st to 3rd grade had lower performance on tests of fine motor, sensory and perceptive function compared to the students with good academic performance in the same grade; the students from 4th grade, both groups, did not show changes on fine motor sensory and perceptive function; and only the students of GII showed disgraphya. Conclusions: the results presented in this study suggest that the qualitative aspects of fine motor, sensory and perceptive skills reflect the integrity and maturity of central nervous system and can probably play an important role in early diagnosis of development disorders and consequently prevent academic disorders such as handwriting performance.

Influência de atividades lúdico-desportivas na realização de equoterapia em pacientes neurológicos - ensaio clínico controlado aleatorizado

Introduction: Equine therapy is a therapy that uses horses to provide the practitioner in rehabilitation aspects of motor, sensory, behavioral and social. Objective: To investigate the effect of the combination of playful activities with hippotherapy sessions on the trunk balance and range of motion. Methods: We selected 18 practitioners diagnosed with cerebral palsy were randomly divided into two groups. The group 1 held hippotherapy sessions, and group 2 held equine therapy with recreational activities and sports. Before and after treatment, the trunk control and range of motion of the practitioners were evaluated. The data were analyzed using the Student’s t-test (p <0.05). Results: There was an improvement in range of motion and balance in both groups. Conclusion: Equine therapy is an effective treatment for individuals with cerebral palsy, regardless of accomplishing it with or without recreational activities.

Functional neurologic recovery in two dogs diagnosed with severe luxation of the vertebral column

Traumatic injuries to the vertebral column, spinal cord, and cauda equina nerve roots occur frequently in human and veterinary medicine and lead to devastating consequences. Complications include partial or complete loss of motor, sensory, and visceral functions, which are among the main causes of euthanasia in dogs. The present case report describes neurological functional recovery in two dogs that were treated surgically for severe spinal fracture and vertebral luxation. In the first case, a stray, mixed breed puppy was diagnosed with thoracolumbar syndrome and Schiff-Scherrington posture, as well as a T13 caudal epiphyseal fracture with 100% luxation between vertebrae T13 and L1; despite these injuries, the animal did show deep pain sensation in the pelvic limbs. Decompression through hemilaminectomy and spinal stabilization with vertebral body pins and bone cement were performed, and the treatment was supplemented with physiotherapy and acupuncture. In the second case, a mixed breed dog was diagnosed with a vertebral fracture and severe luxation between L6 and L7 after a vehicular trauma, but maintained nociception and perineal reflex. Surgical stabilization of the spine was performed using a modified dorsal segmental fixation technique Both patients showed significant recovery of neurological function. Complete luxation of the spinal canal observed radiographically does not mean a poor prognosis, and in some cases, motor, sensory, and visceral functions all have the potential for recovery. In the first case the determining factor for good prognosis was the presence of deep pain perception, and in the second case the prognosis was determined by the presence of sensitivity and anal sphincter tone during the initial neurological examination.

Body sway and sensory motor coupling adaptation in children: Effects of distance manipulation

The purpose of this investigation was to examine coupling between visual information and body sway in children and young adults at various distances from a moving room front wall. Sixty children (from 4 to 14 years old) and 10 young adults stood upright inside a moving room that was oscillated at .2 and .5 Hz, at distances of .25, .5, 1, and 1.5 m from a front wall. Visual information induced body sway in all participants in all conditions. Young children swayed more than older participants, whether the moving room was oscillated or not. Coupling between visual information and body sway became stronger and the room movement influence became weaker with age. Up to the age of 10, coupling strength between visual information and body sway and the room movement influence were distance dependent. Postural control development appears to be dependent on how children reweight the contribution of varying sensory cues available in environment in order to control body sway. (C) 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy in ankles and feet: muscle strength and plantar pressure

This study aims to evaluate and correlate the vascular, sensory and motor components related to the plantar surface in individuals with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. 68 patients were categorized into two groups: 28 in the neuropathic group and 40 in the control group. In each patient, we assessed: circulation and peripheral perfusion of the lower limbs; somatosensory sensitivity; ankle muscle strength; and pressure on the plantar surface in static, dynamic and gait states. We used the Mann-Whitney test and analysis of variance (ANOVA and MANOVA) for comparison between groups, and performed Pearson and Spearman linear correlations amongst the variables (P < 0.05). The somatosensory sensitivity, peripheral circulation and ankle muscle strength were reduced in the neuropathic group. In full peak plantar pressures, no differences were seen between groups, but differences did appear when the foot surface was divided into regions (forefoot, midfoot and hindfoot). In the static condition, the plantar surface area was greater in the neuropathic group. In the dynamic state, peak pressures in the neuropathic group, were higher in the forefoot and lower in the hindfoot, as well as lower in the hindfoot during gait. There were positive or negative correlations between the sensitivity deficit, dorsal ankle flexor strength, plantar surface area, and peak pressure by plantar region. The sensitivity deficit contributed to the increased plantar surface area.

Synaptic plasticity and sensory-motor improvennent following fibrin sealant dorsal root reimplantation and mononuclear cell therapy

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Mechanisms for consideration for intervention in the development of organophosphorus-induced delayed neuropathy

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Neurophysiological patterns of ulnar nerve neuropathy in leprosy reactions

Background: Leprosy neuropathy, despite being primarily demyelinating, frequently leads to axonal loss. Neurophysiological examination of the nerves during Type 1 (T1R) and Type 2 reactions (T2R) may give some insight into the pathophysiological mechanisms.Methods: Neurophysiological examinations were performed in 28 ulnar nerves during a clinical trial of steroid treatment effectiveness, 19 patients with T1R and nine with T2R. The nerves were monitored during a period of 6 months; there were eight assessments per nerve, for a total of 224 assessments. Nine neurophysiological parameters were assessed at three sites of the ulnar nerve. The compound motor action potential amplitudes elicited at wrist, elbow and above, as well as the conduction velocity and temporal dispersion across the elbow, were chosen to focus on the changes occurring in the parameters at the elbow tunnel.Results and Conclusion: Neurophysiological changes indicating axonal and demyelinating processes during both T1R and T2R were detected across the elbow. Changes in demyelination, i.e. a Conduction Block, as a primary event present during T2R, occurring as an acute phenomenon, were observed regularly; in T1R Temporal Dispersion, a subacute phenomenon, was seen. During treatment remyelination occurred after both types of reactions.

Early Pancreas Transplant Improves Motor Nerve Conduction in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats

The purpose of this study was to assess the temporal relationship between pancreas transplant and the development of electrophysiological changes in the sciatic and caudal nerves of alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Nerve conduction studies were performed in diabetic rats subjected to pancreas transplantation at 4, 12, and 24 weeks after diabetes onset, using nondiabetic and untreated diabetic rats as controls. Nerve conduction data were significantly altered in untreated diabetic control rats up to 48 weeks of follow-up in all time points. Rats subjected to pancreas transplantation up to 4 and 12 weeks after diabetes onset had significantly increased motor nerve conduction velocity with improvement of wave amplitude, distal latency, and temporal dispersion of compound muscle action potential in all follow-up periods (P<0.05); these parameters remained abnormal when pancreas transplantation were performed late at 24 weeks. Our results suggest that early pancreas transplant (at 4-12 weeks) may be effective in controlling diabetic neuropathy in this in vivo model.