Association between cognitive function and gross motor development in children with neurodevelopmental disorders

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Children with neurodevelopmental disorders have a variety of conditions that, in general, cause cognitive impairments, as well as limitations to perform gross and fine motor activities resulting from deficits in balance and motor coordination. OBJECTIVE: This study verified whether cognitive function is associated and could predict outcomes of gross motor development in children with neurodevelopmental disorders between 5 and 10 years of age. METHODS: We carried out an exploratory cross-sectional study with 25 children with neurodevelopmental disorders, between 5-10 years of age, able to walk independently. To evaluate the cognitive function and the gross motor abilities the children version of the Mini-Mental State Examination and the Gross Motor Development Test - second edition was used, respectively. A simple linear regression analysis was performed and the effect size calculated. RESULTS:  Fifteen (60%) were male, with a mean age of 7.81 (± 1.90), seven with intellectual disability, eight with autism spectrum disorder, five with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, two with communication disorders and three with specific learning disorders. The Mini-Exam State Examination score was significantly associated and explained the variability of locomotion skills (R²=0.25; p=0.006), object control skills (R²= 0.29; p=0.003) and the gross motor quotient (R²=0.40; p=0.0001). CONCLUSION: We concluded that cognitive function is associated with gross motor skills and could explain their development in children with neurodevelopmental disorders between 5 and 10 years of age. These results might contribute to a better understanding of the influence of cognitive function on the development of gross motor skills in this population.