Physical Fitness in Children With Developmental Coordination Disorder: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: To synthesize evidence about physical fitness levels in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) compared with typically developing (TD) children. METHODS: We searched four databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and PsycINFO) for cross-sectional, case-control, and cohort studies comparing physical fitness between children with and without DCD. We assessed the methodological quality of the studies with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). We calculated Cohen's d effect sizes to provide clinical evidence of group differences in aerobic capacity, anaerobic capacity, muscle strength, body composition and flexibility. RESULTS: We included 32 studies for qualitative synthesis after applying eligibility criteria. All selected studies ranged from moderate to high research quality. Effect sizes in favor of typically developing children over children with DCD were large for aerobic capacity (d = 1.15), anaerobic capacity (d = 0.90), and muscle strength (d = 0.79), and small for body composition (d = 0.43) and flexibility (d = 0.21) outcomes. CONCLUSION: Children with DCD presented significantly lower physical fitness than their typically developing peers, particularly in aerobic and anaerobic capacity and in muscle strength.

Short- and Long-Term Changes in Balance After Active Video Game Training in Children With and Without Developmental Coordination Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Active video games (AVG) have been used as training tools and are known to ameliorate balance performance in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). Our aim was to evaluate balance using clinical tests and by measuring body sway using a force plate with a mixed design of vision (eyes open/eyes closed), surface (rigid/soft), and support (stance/semitandem) before, and after, training and 4 months later (follow-up). Thirty-six DCD children and 40 typically developing children participated in the study, of which 50 children (26 DCD; 24 typically developing) were retested after 4 months. Balance improved on the clinical measures after the training, which was independent of type of AVG (Wii-Fit and Xbox Kinect) used, and this effect was still present after 4 months. The AVG training did not influence general sway behavior, but only sway in the eyes-open condition, corresponding with task demands of the training and indicating a training-specific effect. Overall, DCD children and typically developing children responded comparably to the AVG training, thereby maintaining the gap in performance between the two groups. The changes in postural sway are interpreted as a sign of more confidence and less freezing of the joints, enabling greater flexibility of movements and balance strategies as supported by the improved performance on balance tests in the DCD children. This is the first study that showed long-term effects of AVG training on balance performance. However, these follow-up results should be interpreted with caution given that 35% of the children were lost in follow-up.

Health-related quality of life in children with developmental coordination disorder: a systematic review.

The aims of this study were (1) to synthesize evidence of the general health-related quality of life in children with DCD compared to their typically developing peers, and (2) to verify which domains of HRQOL are more compromised in children with DCD. A systematic search was carried out to identify cross-sectional studies that evaluated self-perception and/or the parent's perception of the HRQOL in children with and without DCD as an outcome. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed, and the effect size calculated. Initial searches in the databases identified 1092 articles. Of these, six were included. Most of the articles (5/6) included noted that children with DCD show a significantly lower HRQOL than their typically developing peers. Regarding the most compromised HRQOL domains, the results are heterogeneous. Most studies (3/6) had moderate methodological quality, and two studies were classified as high methodological quality. Effect sizes ranged from low to high.

Factors Associated with the Lifestyle of Pediatric Healthcare Professionals during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The objective of this study was to analyze the association between sociodemographic and occupational variables with the lifestyle of health professionals in pediatric units during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 407 health professionals working in four pediatric health units in the State of Bahia, northeast Brazil. The Fantastic Lifestyle Questionnaire and a questionnaire with sociodemographic and employment variables self-applied via Google Forms were used. The final binary logistic regression models revealed significant associations between those who received 3 to 5 minimum wages, without a marital relationship and with more than one employment relationship. Data suggest that these sociodemographic and occupational profiles are more exposed to risky lifestyle behaviors. The findings of this study demonstrated the need for greater attention to the health of health professionals in the pediatric field, as well as the promotion of initiatives that seek to value the work of these professionals and reduce the damage caused to their lifestyle, especially in a pandemic scenario.

Active Video Games Performance and Heart Rate on the Wii or Kinect in Children with and without Developmental Coordination Disorder.

Our objective was to compare changes in game performance and intensity of heart rate (HR) between two types of active video game (AVG) in children with and without Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). Additionally, we assessed the level of improvement per game as well as the perceived exertion and enjoyment during training. Seventy-six children, 36 with DCD and 40 without (TD) were randomly assigned to a 5-week program of Wii-Fit or Xbox-Kinect training 2× a week. The steepness of the performance curves was not different between consoles, nor between groups. Playing Kinect games resulted in higher HR in both groups. Wii and Kinect seem to be comparable AVG consoles that can be used for children with and without DCD, with the Kinect reaching a higher intensity of training.

Symptoms of anxiety and depression in schoolchildren with and without developmental coordination disorder.

We examined whether reported higher frequencies of anxiety and depression symptoms are related to the presence of developmental coordination disorder in school-age Brazilian children. A total of 272 children were assigned to six groups according to age and motor performance. The Movement Assessment Battery for Children-Second Edition evaluated the motor performance. The Spence Children's Anxiety Scale and the Child Depression Inventory assessed anxiety and depression symptoms, respectively. Brazilian children are at high risk for anxiety, regardless of motor performance and age. However, children with developmental coordination disorder report significantly more depressive symptomatology in 10-12 years compared to typically developing children.

Developmental coordination disorder and the COVID-19 pandemic: Some considerations

Abstract Aims: Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a developmental disorder characterized by significant poor motor performance, interfering in children's health, participation, and quality of life at home, school, or playground contexts. According to the literature, children with DCD are at greater risk of anxiety and depression symptoms compared to their typically developing peers. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many children with DCD are isolated at home and diminishing their opportunity to participate in different types of activities. In addition, this scenario can increase the symptoms of anxiety and depression in these children, which warns us to state some important considerations in this brief communication. As well, some important recommendations about activities to perform at home with relatives, such as active video games or ball games, were made to help these children and their parents in this complex and challenging scenario worldwide. Therefore, this paper summarizes some considerations regarding DCD and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Construct validity of the PERF-FIT, a test of motor skill-related fitness for children in low resource areas.

BACKGROUND: Given the relationship between physical fitness and motor performance a test battery was developed that measures both components combined. AIM: Following the development of the Performance and Fitness (PERF-FIT) battery, this study investigated the construct validity with the ultimate aim of identifying attributes that discriminate between different levels of motor abilities and anaerobic or musculoskeletal fitness. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 34 children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) and 34 matched typically developing children participated (7-10 years). The PERF-FIT was used to examine known group validity. The PERF-FIT items were also compared to test items of well-known standardized tests to examine concurrent validity. RESULTS: Concurrent validity was found to be of the expected low to moderate magnitude. Children with DCD were consistently found to have lower levels of motor skill-related fitness compared to typically developing children. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: The PERF-FIT seems to be a valid test to measure movement skills, musculoskeletal fitness and agility in children between the ages of 7 and 10 years in low resourced communities. The test seems to discriminate between gross motor skills, and agility and power in children with and without DCD.

Symptoms of anxiety and depression in children with developmental coordination disorder: a systematic review / Sintomas de ansiedade e depressão em crianças com transtorno do desenvolvimentoda coordenação: uma revisão sistemática

Abstract Objective To find evidence of the symptoms of anxiety/depression in children with developmental coordination disorder as compared to their typically developing peers at both the group and individual level, and to identify how many different tools are used to measure anxiety and/or depression. Methods Electronic searches in eight databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, ERIC, PsycINFO, Embase, SciELO and LILACS), using the following keywords: 'Developmental Coordination Disorder,' 'Behavioral Problems,' 'Child,' 'Anxiety,' 'Depression,' 'Mental Health,' and 'Mental Disorders.' The methodological quality was assessed by Newcastle-Ottawa Scale adapted for cross-sectional studies and the NOS for cohort studies. The studies were classified as low, moderate, or high quality. To provide clinical evidence, the effect size of the symptoms of anxiety and depression was calculated for each study. Results The initial database searches identified 581 studies, and after the eligibility criteria were applied, six studies were included in the review. All studies were classified as being of moderate to high quality, and the effect sizes for both anxiety and depression outcomes were medium. The evidence indicated that all of the assessed studies presented more symptoms of anxiety and depression in children with developmental coordination disorder than in their typically developing peers. On the individual level, this review found children with clinical symptoms of anxiety in 17-34% (developmental coordination disorder) and 0-23% (typically developing), and of depression in 9-15% (developmental coordination disorder) and 2-5% (typically developing) of the children. Conclusions Children with developmental coordination disorder are at higher risk of developing symptoms of anxiety and depression than their typically developing peers.

Resumo Objetivo Encontrar evidências dos sintomas de ansiedade/depressão em crianças com transtorno do desenvolvimento da coordenação em comparação com seus pares com desenvolvimento típico, a nível individual bem como em grupo, e identificar quantas ferramentas diferentes são utilizadas para medir a ansiedade e/ou depressão. Métodos Pesquisa eletrônica em oito bases de dados (PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, Eric, PsycINFO, Embase, Scielo e Lilacs), utilizando as seguintes palavras-chave: 'Developmental Coordination Disorder', 'Behavioral Problems', 'Child', 'Anxiety', 'Depression', 'Mental Health' e 'Mental Disorders'. A qualidade metodológica foi avaliada pela escala de Newcastle-Ottawa (NOS) adaptada para estudos transversais e pela escala de Newcastle-Ottawa (NOS) para estudos de coorte. Os estudos foram classificados em: qualidade baixa, moderada e alta. Para fornecer evidência clínica, o tamanho do efeito dos sintomas de ansiedade e depressão foi calculado para cada estudo. Resultados As buscas iniciais nas bases de dados identificaram 581 estudos e, após a aplicação dos critérios de elegibilidade, seis estudos foram incluídos na revisão. Todos os estudos foram classificados como tendo qualidade moderada a alta e os tamanhos do efeito para os desfechos de ansiedade e depressão foram médios. As evidências indicaram que 100% dos estudos avaliados apresentaram mais sintomas de ansiedade e depressão em crianças com transtorno do desenvolvimento da coordenação do que em seus pares com desenvolvimento típico. No nível individual, encontramos crianças com sintomas clínicos de ansiedade em 17-34% (transtorno do desenvolvimento da coordenação) e 0-23% (desenvolvimento típico) e de depressão em 9-15% (transtorno do desenvolvimento da coordenação) e 2-5% (desenvolvimento típico) das crianças. Conclusões Crianças com transtorno do desenvolvimento da coordenação apresentam maior risco de desenvolver sintomas de ansiedade e depressão do que seus pares com desenvolvimento típico.

Symptoms of anxiety and depression in children with developmental coordination disorder: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To find evidence of the symptoms of anxiety/depression in children with developmental coordination disorder as compared to their typically developing peers at both the group and individual level, and to identify how many different tools are used to measure anxiety and/or depression. METHODS: Electronic searches in eight databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, ERIC, PsycINFO, Embase, SciELO and LILACS), using the following keywords: 'Developmental Coordination Disorder,' 'Behavioral Problems,' 'Child,' 'Anxiety,' 'Depression,' 'Mental Health,' and 'Mental Disorders.' The methodological quality was assessed by Newcastle-Ottawa Scale adapted for cross-sectional studies and the NOS for cohort studies. The studies were classified as low, moderate, or high quality. To provide clinical evidence, the effect size of the symptoms of anxiety and depression was calculated for each study. RESULTS: The initial database searches identified 581 studies, and after the eligibility criteria were applied, six studies were included in the review. All studies were classified as being of moderate to high quality, and the effect sizes for both anxiety and depression outcomes were medium. The evidence indicated that all of the assessed studies presented more symptoms of anxiety and depression in children with developmental coordination disorder than in their typically developing peers. On the individual level, this review found children with clinical symptoms of anxiety in 17-34% (developmental coordination disorder) and 0-23% (typically developing), and of depression in 9-15% (developmental coordination disorder) and 2-5% (typically developing) of the children. CONCLUSIONS: Children with developmental coordination disorder are at higher risk of developing symptoms of anxiety and depression than their typically developing peers.

Efeitos do instrumento Pulsar® e da vibrocompressão em crianças no ambiente hospitalar / Effects of tool Pulsar® and vibrocompression in children in the hospital setting

Introdução: Manobras de Higiene Brônquica são técnicas que visam auxiliar na mobilização e remoção das secreções retidas, prevenir ou reduzir obstruções por secreção e suas consequências. Objetivo: avaliar os efeitos cardíacos, respiratórios e sobre a remoção de secreção brônquica do Pulsar® e da manobra de vibrocompressão em pacientes pediátricos. Método: Pacientes foram submetidos a 12 minutos das técnicas de manobra de vibrocompressão e aspiração, e do Pulsar® numa frequência de 15 Hz e aspiração, com intervalo entre as técnicas de quatro horas, nas primeiras 48 horas de internação. Resultado: Foram avaliados 25 pacientes com idade média de 24,44±14,22 semanas. As técnicas de vibrocompressão e Pulsar® não produziram efeitos significativos na FC e FR, porém houve aumento na SpO2 após a aplicação da técnica de vibrocompressão. Conclusão: Condições cardíacas e pulmonares estiveram dentro da normalidade, sendo que houve aumento na oxigenação após a técnica da vibrocompressão. Sobre a remoção de secreção brônquica, ambas as técnicas se mostraram eficazes em pacientes pediátricos.

Introduction: Bronchial hygiene therapy are techniques that aim to assist in mobilization and removal of retained secretions, prevent or reduce obstructions by secretion and its consequences. Objective: To evaluate cardiac, respiratory and bronchial secretion removal effects of Pulsar® and vibrocompression maneuver in pediatric patients. Method: All patients underwent 12 minutes of the vibrocompression maneuver and aspiration, and the Pulsar® at a frequency of 15 Hz and Aspiration, with four hours interval between the techniques during the first 48 hours of hospitalization. Result: 25 patients were evaluated, with a mean age of 24.44 ± 14.22 weeks. The vibrocompression and the Pulsar® techniques applied in the pediatric patients of this study didn't produce significant effects on the HR and RR, while there was increase in SpO2 after application of the vibrocompression technique. Conclusion: Cardiac and pulmonary conditions were within normal limits, while oxygenation had increased after the vibrocompression technique. Regarding the bronchial secretion removal, the two techniques proved to be effective in pediatric patients.