Neuroimaging in Developmental Coordination Disorder

Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a neuromotor disorder of unknown etiology characterized by motor skill disorder, which significantly inhibits the child’s ability to perform daily living activities and affects psychosocial well-being. DCD is one of the least understood and studied neuromotor disorders, and little is known about the neural mechanisms underlying motor impairment. This makes it difficult to understand why children with DCD have difficulty in learning motor skills and what is the best intervention to optimize motor functions. With the further development of neuroimaging techniques, the number of neuroimaging studies to understand the underlying mechanisms in children with DCD has increased in recent years. Results from these studies suggest that children with DCD activate different regions of the brain during functional tasks and show differences in white matter microstructure, cerebellum, basal ganglia, parietal lobe, and parts of the frontal lobe (medial orbitofrontal cortex and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) compared with typically developing children. We believe that these neuroimaging data obtained from numerous studies will contribute to the explanation of neural mechanisms related to impaired motor function in children with DCD

Reliability of balance evaluation using Pedalo®-Sensomove Balance device in healthy young individuals

Purpose: It is important to assess the integrity of the balance system to predict individual balance and coordination abilities. MarBES is a device consisting of 9 led scales and 4 pressure sensor systems developed to evaluate and improve balance and coordination as a TÜBİTAK 3001 project. Weight data is estimated from pressure sensors located in 4 different corners and a score is calculated with computer software for the individual\"s center of gravity (Centre of pressure X, Y) and the amount of deviation from the center for each axis.. The aim of this study is to examine the test-retest reliability of the MarBES device. Methods: Double-leg and single-leg (eyes open-closed) tests were applied to healthy young adult participants for balance testing on the MarBES device. Weight transfer to the target surface was measured for assessment of the participants coordination performance. Participants rested for 10 minutes and all measurements were repeated by the same evaluator. The obtained data were recorded and the reliability of the measurements was evaluated with Pearson correlation analysis. Results: A total of 33 healthy young individuals (24 F; 9 M) with a mean age of 21±0.96 years were included in the study. In the correlation analysis, there was a strong correlation in all measurement parameters of the MarBES device except for X axis measurements of right leg (eyes open) and double leg eyes closed (p<0.005). Conclusion: Objective evaluation of balance and coordination parameters is very important in rehabilitation. Resulde of the study showed that the MarBES device developed by the researchers is a reliable method for the evaluation of balance and coordination in healthy young individuals. Keywords: Balance, Coordination, Rehabilitation, Reliabilit

A new device for assessment and training the human balance and coordination: Marmara Balance and Education System (MarBES)

© 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland.Background: Balance and coordination are important for performing activities of daily living. Balance and coordination assessment and training are used by physiotherapists in many different rehabilitation areas. Marmara Balance and Education System (MarBES) is a device developed to evaluate and improve balance and coordination. Aims: To examine the test–retest reliability of the MarBES device. Methods: Double-leg and single-leg (eyes open-closed) tests were applied to healthy young adult participants for balance testing on the MarBES device. Weight data is estimated from pressure sensors located in 4 different corners and a score is calculated with computer software for the individual’s center of gravity (center of pressure X, Y) and the amount of deviation from the center for each axis. Weight transfer to the target surface was measured for assessment of the participants’ coordination performance. Participants rested for 10 min and all measurements were repeated by the same evaluator. The obtained data were recorded and the reliability of the measurements was evaluated with Spearman’s rho correlation analysis. Results: A total of 40 healthy young individuals (28 female) with a mean age of 21 years were included. The balance assessments with MarBES showed moderate to good reliability (ICC: 0.535–0.903). The coordination assessment results showed moderate to good reliability (ICC: 0.575–0.712). Conclusions: Objective evaluation of balance and coordination parameters is very important in rehabilitation. Results of the study showed that the MarBES device developed by the researchers is a reliable method for the evaluation of balance and coordination in healthy young individuals