Auditory and visual information do not affect self-paced bilateral finger tapping in children with DCD

Abstract

Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) are more variable in timing their fingers to an external cue. In this study, we investigated the intrinsic coordination properties of self-selected anti-phase finger tapping with and without vision and audition in children with and without DCD and compared their performance to that of adults. Ten children with DCD (Mean age = 7.12 ± 0.3 years), ten age-and sex-matched typically developing (TD) children, and ten adults participated in this study. Participants tapped their fingers in anti-phase at a self-selected speed under four different sensory conditions: (1) with vision and audition, (2) with vision but no audition, (3) with audition but no vision, and (4) without vision and audition. We assessed intertap interval (ITI), variability of ITI, mean relative phasing (RP) between the fingers and the variability in RP. Children with DCD adopted a similar mean frequency, but were less accurate and more variable than the other groups. The different sensory conditions did not affect performance in any of the groups. We conclude that visual and auditory feedback of tapping are not salient information sources for bilateral self-selected tapping and that children with DCD are intrinsically less accurate and more variable in their tapping frequency and coordination.

Interference of Various Sources of Sensory Feedback on Transition of Relative Phase in Bimanual Coordination on Active and Inactive Woman With Multiple Sclerosis

“…The present study agrees with Grillo et al [28] and Rocha et al [40] research. They found that audition manipulation did not change the subjects' performance [28,40].…”

“…This result shows that proprioceptive information plays an essential role in the central nervous system for keeping posture [17]. The present study agrees with Grillo et al [28] and Rocha et al [40] research. They found that audition manipulation did not change the subjects' performance [28,40].…”

Sensory processing difficulties (SPD) and their relation to motor performance and to child’s perceived competence among children with developmental coordination disorders

“…3,4,13,27,28 For example, studies found that deficiencies in auditory/visual processing lead to difficulties in rhythm and timing experienced by children with DCD, [29][30][31] as expressed in finger tapping performance of children with DCD which was less accurate and more variable in frequency and coordination. 27 Hence, SPD may impair the ability to correct errors in position, and to modulate acuity, velocity, and force of movement. 23,26,32 Problems in the modulation and integration of sensory input coming from the vestibular, proprioception, visual and auditory systems may reduce motor performance, and mainly balance and manual dexterity.…”

“…Movement sensitivity as well as low energy (difficulties in processing proprioceptive information) significantly predicted lower Manual Dexterity in which acuity is heavily dependent on adequate postural control and proper feedback that comes from the proprioceptive system. Roche et al 27 claimed that children with DCD present inaccurate movements since they are either not aware to the sensory information to detect errors or they do not use sensory feedback to correct their motor actions.The present study also found that reduced balance performance was predicted by elevated auditory/visual sensitivity. This supports previous reports that highlight the significant role of difficulties in the visual and auditory processing to the motor coordination difficulties of individuals with DCD.…”

“…This supports previous reports that highlight the significant role of difficulties in the visual and auditory processing to the motor coordination difficulties of individuals with DCD. 3,4,13,27,28 For example, studies found that deficiencies in auditory/visual processing lead to difficulties in rhythm and timing experienced by children with DCD, 29-31 as expressed in finger tapping performance of children with DCD which was less accurate and more variable in frequency and coordination. …”