Persistence of primitive reflexes and associated motor problems in healthy preschool children

Ewa Z Gieysztor, Anna M Choińska, Małgorzata Paprocka-Borowicz, Ewa Z Gieysztor, Anna M Choińska, Małgorzata Paprocka-Borowicz

Abstract

Introduction: Retained primitive reflexes can disturb natural development and involve difficulties in social and educational children's life. They can also impact on psychomotor development. Mature responses in a child's psychomotor progress can only occur if the central nervous system itself has reached maturity. The process consist the transition made from brain stem reflex response to cortically controlled response. This study define the occurrence of primitive reflexes in healthy 4-6 years old children and analyze the impact of survived primitive reflexes on psychomotor development.

Material and methods: The study involved 35 participants aged 4-6 years healthy preschool children. The study tools were: primitive reflexes tests by Sally Goddard for children and Motor Proficiency - Test (MOT 4-6 test) in 18 tasks.

Results: Over a half (65%) preschool children had survived the primitive reflexes on the residual level. Eleven percent of them had no retained primitive reflexes. According to the psychomotor ability, 9% of the children were in the category of "altered development", 29% in "delayed development", 59% in "normal" and 3% in "very good development". The greater the severity of the reflex, the motor efficiency was lower (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: It seems reasonable to introduce reflexes integration therapy in children's with low psychomotor skills. Primitive reflexes routinely tested, can contribute to improved early psychomotor development in children with needs, thus preventing many difficulties which children can encounter within their social and school life.

Keywords: MOT 4–6; preschool children; primitive reflexes; psychomotor development.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
0–2 points for primitive reflexes in group
Figure 2
Figure 2
3–4 points for primitive reflexes in group
Figure 3
Figure 3
Maximum points in MOT 4–6 test
Figure 4
Figure 4
Psychomotor development level of girls and boys
Figure 5
Figure 5
Retained primitive reflexes level of girls and boys

References

    1. De Jager M. Sequence of primitive reflexes in development. Johannesburg: Mind Moves Institute; 2009.
    1. Zafeiriou DI. Primitive reflexes and postural reactions in the neurodevelopmental examination. Pediatr Neurol. 2004;131:1–8.
    1. Kawakami M, Liu M, Otsuka T, et al. Asymmetrical skull deformity in children with Cerebral Palsy: frequency and correlation with postural abnormalities and deformities. J Rehabil Med. 2013;45:149–53.
    1. Zemke R. Application of an ATNR Rating Scale to normal preschool children. Am J Occup Ther. 1985;39:178–80.
    1. Bruijn SM, Massaad F, MacLellan MJ, et al. Are effects of the symmetric and asymmetric tonic reflexes still visible in healthy adults? Neurosci Lett. 2013;556:89–92.
    1. Goddard S. The role of primitive survival reflexes in the development of the visual system. J Behav Opt. 1995;6:31–3.
    1. Taylor M, Houghton S, Chapman E. Primitive reflexes and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: developmental origins of classroom dysfunction. Int J Spec Educ. 2004;19:23–36.
    1. Kiebzak W, Kowalski IM, Domagalska M, et al. Assessment of visual perception in adolescents with a history of central coordination disorder in early life – 15-year follow up study. Arch Med Sci. 2012;8:879–85.
    1. Nemeth D, Hallgató E, Janacsek K, Sándor T, Londe Z. Perceptual and motor factors of implicit skill learning. Neuroreport. 2009;20:1654–8.
    1. Sadowska L. Vaclav Vojta’s neurokinesiological concept for the diagnosis and therapy of children with disturbances of motor development. Ortop Traumatol Rehabil. 2001;3:519–26.
    1. Kowalski IM, Dwornik M, Lewandowski R, et al. Early detection of idiopathic scoliosis – analysis of three screening models. Arch Med Sci. 2015;11:1058–64.
    1. Goddard-Blythe S. The well balanced child. Warsaw: Świat Książki,; 2006.
    1. Goddard-Blythe S, Hyland D. Screening for neurological dysfunction in the specific learning difficulty child. Br J Occu Ther. 1996;61:459–464.
    1. Goddard-Blythe S. Course Book. 2011.
    1. Zimmer R, Volkamer M. Motor skills test for 4-6 years old children. Weinheim: Beltz; 1987.
    1. Grzywniak C. The effect of the form of persistent trace reflexes to rise the difficulties of school. Szkoła Specjalna. 2010;2:98–112.
    1. Bilbilaj S. Directions for LD treatment with reflex therapy. Acad J Inter Stud. 2013;2:77–80.
    1. McPhilips M, Sheehy N. Prevalence of persistent primary reflexes and motor problems in children with reading difficulties. Dyslexia. 2004;10:316–38.
    1. McPhilips M, Jordan-Black JN. Primary reflex persistence in children with reading difficulties (dyslexia): a cross-sectional study. Neuropsych. 2007;45:748–54.
    1. Cools W, De Martelaer K, Vandaele B. Assessment of movement skill performance in preschool children: convergent validity between MOT 4-6 and M-ABC. J Sports Sci Med. 2010;9:597–604.
    1. Nowak A, Romanowska-Tołłoczko A, Bartusiak I. Abnormalities in motor development of children as early signs of psychomotor disturbances. Probl Phisic Train Sp. 2009;9:192–5.
    1. Nowak A, Bartusiak I, Romanowska-Tolloczko A. Psychomotor diagnosis of four-year-old children as a realization of an early intervention program in the nursery schools. Sport Ped. 2009;9:188–91.

Source: PubMed

Sponsorer og samarbejdspartnere

Medicinske tilstande

Narkotikainterventioner

3
Abonner