Motor sequence learning in children with spina bifida.
Cognitive and motor problems are common in children with spina bifida (SB), particularly in those children with cerebral malformations (SBM). Little is known about how these conditions affect motor learning. This study examines motor sequence learning in children with SB, SBM, and healthy controls. Assessment consisted of neuropsychological tests, a simple drawing task, and a spatial motor sequence learning task. Implicit motor learning was unaffected in children with SB(M), and their sequence learning ability was also similar to that of controls. However, both groups (SB and SBM) showed impaired motor performance. The role of cerebellar malformation with SB(M) is discussed.
Department of Medical Psychology/Pediatric Neurology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. a.vinck@mps.umcn.nl
Anja
A
Vinck
Ben A M
BA
Maassen
Wouter
W
Hulstijn
Marije G
MG
Diender
Reinier A
RA
Mullaart
Jan J
JJ
Rotteveel
Maria W G
MW
Nijhuis-van der Sanden
D000293:Adolescent; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011596:Psychomotor Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D011930:Reaction Time; D012691:Serial Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D016135:Spinal Dysraphism / Q000150:complications*; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D014705:Verbal Behavior; D014796:Visual Perception