Sensorimotor Therapy Using Vestibular Stimulation: A Complementary Method for ‘Treatment’ of Developmental Coordination Disorder and a Possible Way to Awaken the Innate Potential for a Physically Active Life

Abstract

The aim of this commentary is to present characteristics of an “unidentified psychological barrier,” which we previously have speculated to be associated with vestibular underachievement, an overlooked part for the understanding of the resistance to physical activity as well as in the assessments and interventions of developmental coordination disorder (DCD). Furthermore, we will discuss the importance of its identification and how to push knowledge forward. A delayed or partly absent sensorimotor development for an otherwise healthy infant might be a substantial sign of an underachieving vestibular system. It is time to act and to take sensorimotor immaturities seriously. In order to come to terms with DCD including physical inactivity there is a need for a grounded approach to sensorimotor development, not the least as a complement to already established ‘treatment’ methods.

Mental health, art and creativity: re-discover the child within

“…Although the authors were hesitant regarding the involvement of a socio-cultural context, from my point of view, it is important to keep “a sense of coherence” (Antonovsky, 1996) in mind. “No man is an island entire of himself” (John Donne); we are all part of a context, a brain–body–world interaction (BBWI) (Clark, 1999; Niklasson et al , 2022).…”

The Importance of an Early Suppression of the Moro Reflex

“…The most important sources for neural activity are the nonadaptive sensory receptors of the vestibular system which respond to the force of gravity [7]. The vestibular nuclei are functional by the 11:th week prenatally and the vestibular system is mature by the 21st week [1]. Despite its early development the vestibular system is, according to Piontelli [7], the most overlooked sensory capacity of the fetus and there is still no consensus concerning its activity in utero.…”

“…In a recent publication [1] we concluded that, "A delayed or partly absent sensorimotor development for an otherwise healthy infant might be a strong enough sign of an underachieving vestibular system. The significance of an aberrant Moro reflex beyond 6 months of age should not the least be an adequate reason for further enquiry."…”