Movement Scaling in Children With ADHD-Combined Type

J Atten Disord. 2016 Feb;20(2):131-7. doi: 10.1177/1087054713493317. Epub 2013 Jul 30.

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate motor performance in children with ADHD using a size-scaling handwriting task.

Method: In all, 14 male children with ADHD and 14 typically developing (TD) children (age 7-15) wrote 10-mm and 40-mm cursive letter "l."

Results: Children with ADHD were unable to maintain their writing accurately at 40 mm, falling short by several millimeters; this was not evident in the TD children. Children with ADHD also had slightly faster and more fluent writing than TD children.

Conclusion: It was concluded that children with ADHD have difficulties scaling handwriting movement in the larger 40-mm condition that may reflect poor planning and modulation of movement, despite having faster and more fluent movements.

Keywords: ADHD; comorbidity; motor control.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / complications
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / physiopathology*
  • Child
  • Disability Evaluation
  • Handwriting*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Motor Skills / physiology*
  • Motor Skills Disorders / complications
  • Motor Skills Disorders / physiopathology*
  • Psychomotor Performance / physiology*