Neurofeedback effect on perceptual-motor skills of children with ADHD

Objectives: This study investigates the impact of neurofeedback on perceptual-motor skills of 5 to 12 years old children with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD). Methods: In this clinical study, 40 children between the ages of 5-12 years, who were patients of the Tavanesh Clinic and diagnosed with ADHD, were randomly chosen and divided into two groups of control and test. 20-neurofeedback intervention sessions were performed. The tools utilized in this study included Bruninks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency and Child behavior checklist (CBCL) survey questionnaire. For evaluation after the intervention, Bruninks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency scale for children, along with CBCL questionnaire surveys were asked to fill up by the participants' mothers. Results: After the intervention, the analysis of the scores in all perceptual-motor skills showed significant differences in both groups, but no significant difference was observed in the subtest of strength. The CBCL survey questionnaire revealed that the average scores on attention disorder, aggression, lack of attention and hyperactivity, externalizing and general problems in the test group is significantly less than that of the control group. However, in the confrontational behavior (internalization), there was no statistically significant difference between the test and control groups. There was a correlation between the change of motor skills and change of behavioral patterns in ADHD children. Discussion: Neurofeedback intervention can have positive effects on improving the perceptualmotor skills of children with ADHD

Pareto Optimization of a Five-Degree of Freedom Vehicle Vibration Model Using a MultiObjective Uniform-Diversity Genetic Algorithm (MUGA), Engineering

a b s t r a c t In this paper, a new multi-objective uniform-diversity genetic algorithm (MUGA) with a diversity preserving mechanism called the e-elimination algorithm is used for Pareto optimization of a fivedegree of freedom vehicle vibration model considering the five conflicting functions simultaneously. The important conflicting objective functions that have been considered in this work are, namely, seat acceleration, forward tire velocity, rear tire velocity, relative displacement between sprung mass and forward tire and relative displacement between sprung mass and rear tire. Further, different pairs of these objective functions have also been selected for 2-objective optimization processes. The comparison of the obtained results with those in the literature demonstrates the superiority of the results of this work. It is shown that the results of 5-objective optimization include those of 2-objective optimization and, therefore, provide more choices for optimal design of a vehicle vibration model

Review paper: Introduction of pediatric balance therapy in children with vestibular dysfunction: Review of indications, mechanisms, and key exercises

The vestibular system is important for the development of normal movement reactions, motion tolerance, and motor control for postural alignment, balance, and vision. A vestibular system that is damaged by disease or injury in childhood can have a major impact on a child's development. In addition, the emergence of vestibular lesions may also lead to cognitive deficits, including attention deficit. Despite the advances in testing and documentation of vestibular deficits in children, the vestibular problems continue to be an overlooked entity. Many children do not receive treatment that could significantly improve function and address the developmental delays caused by vestibular disorders. Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) has been defined as an effective modality for most individuals with disorders of the vestibular or central balance system disorders. The basis for the success of VRT is the use of existing neural mechanisms in the human brain for adaptation, plasticity, and compensation. The vestibular system cannot be considered as a separate entity ignoring other balance subsystems. Hence, a modified VRT program, named pediatric balance therapy with special modifications in exercises, was developed for children with vestibular disorders, in accordance to the whole balance system

Effect of a visual tracking intervention on attention and behavior of attention deficit hyper activity children

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is characterized by several cognitive and behavioral problems such as inattention and impulsivity, abnormal control of eye movements and relocation, visual fixation and visuospatial perception. There is a link between core motor functions such as oculomotor function and cognition to the extent that the oculomotor system acts as a mediator between the motor and cognitive functions. Therefore, the effects of eye-tracking intervention were investigated on attention in these children. Thirty - nine boys with ADHD, 6 to 10 years of age were recruited and randomized to receive current occupational therapy (control group), or occupational therapy accompanied with eye-tracking exercises (experimental group). They were evaluated using the Conner's Parent Rating Scale, the Continuous Performance Task-2, and the Test of Visual-Motor Skills-Revised before and after the intervention. Significant improvements in the mean scores of cognitive problems (F=9/22), coping behavior (F=6.03) and hyperactivity (F=9.77) were detected in the posttest between the two groups (p<0.05). Furthermore, in the Continuous Performance Test scores, detectability (F=5.68), omission errors (F=17.89), commission errors (F=19.45), reaction time (F=8.95), variability (F=7.07), and preservation (F=6.33) showed significant differences between control and experimental groups (p<0.01). It appears that eye-tracking interventions designed based on the isolation of neck and eye movement might have an important role in improving cognitive function and coping behaviors in these children. It seems that these exercises could increase eye movement control; improve cognitive function and response inhibition

Preliminary evidence of improved cognitive performance following vestibular rehabilitation in children with combined ADHD (cADHD) and concurrent vestibular impairment

Objective Balance function has been reported to be worse in ADHD children than in their normal peers. The present study hypothesized that an improvement in balance could result in better cognitive performance in children with ADHD and concurrent vestibular impairment. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of comprehensive vestibular rehabilitation therapy on the cognitive performance of children with combined ADHD and concurrent vestibular impairment. Methods Subject were 54 children with combined ADHD. Those with severe vestibular impairment (n = 33) were randomly assigned to two groups that were matched for age. A rehabilitation program comprising overall balance and gate, postural stability, and eye movement exercises was assigned to the intervention group. Subjects in the control group received no intervention for the same time period. Intervention was administered twice weekly for 12 weeks. Choice reaction time (CRT) and spatial working memory (SWM) subtypes of the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) were completed pre- and post-intervention to determine the effects of vestibular rehabilitation on the cognitive performance of the subjects with ADHD and concurrent vestibular impairment. ANCOVA was used to compare the test results of the intervention and control group post-test. Results The percentage of correct trial scores for the CRT achieved by the intervention group post-test increased significantly compared to those of the control group (p = 0.029). The CRT mean latency scores were significantly prolonged in the intervention group following intervention (p = 0.007) compared to the control group. No significant change was found in spatial functioning of the subjects with ADHD following 12 weeks of intervention (p > 0.05). Conclusion The study highlights the effect of vestibular rehabilitation on the cognitive performance of children with combined ADHD and concurrent vestibular disorder. The findings indicate that attention can be affected by early vestibular rehabilitation, which is a basic program for improving memory function in such children. Appropriate vestibular rehabilitation programs based on the type of vestibular impairment of children can improve their cognitive ability to some extent in children with ADHD and concurrent vestibular impairment (p?> 0.05). © 2017 Elsevier B.V