An investigation of gait in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: a case controlled study.
This study aimed to compare the gait of children with ADHD - Combined Type (ADHD-CT) to typically developing (TD) children. Children with ADHD-CT (n=14; mean age 10 years 4 months) and a TD group (n=13; mean age 10 years 9 months) walked at self-selected slow, preferred and fast speed on an electronic walkway system. Participants completed a total of 15 walking trials; 5 trials per walking condition. Groups were matched on age, intellectual functioning, height and weight. In the preferred walking condition, there was no difference in spatio-temporal gait variables between the ADHD-CT and TD control groups. At self-selected fast speed, children with ADHD-CT were faster and walked with a higher cadence. The subtle alterations in gait pattern that may reflect a timing deficit is consistent with previous ADHD motor studies. In addition, this study extends previous studies in characterising the unique gait profile of non-medicated children with ADHD-CT where a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder has been ruled out.
Centre for Developmental Psychiatry & Psychology, School of Psychology and Psychiatry, Monash University, Australia; Deakin Child Study Centre, School of Psychology, Deakin University, Australia. Electronic address: Nicole.Papadopoulos@deakin.edu.au.
Nicole
N
Papadopoulos
The University of Melbourne, Australia; Clinical Research Centre for Movement and Gait Disorders, Southern Health, Australia.
Jennifer L
JL
McGinley
Centre for Developmental Psychiatry & Psychology, School of Psychology and Psychiatry, Monash University, Australia.
John L
JL
Bradshaw
Centre for Developmental Psychiatry & Psychology, School of Psychology and Psychiatry, Monash University, Australia; Deakin Child Study Centre, School of Psychology, Deakin University, Australia.
Nicole J
NJ
Rinehart
D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D004856:Postural Balance; D016138:Walking
ADHD; Autism; Gait; Inattention; Social-communication disturbance