Motor Performance in Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Investigating the Fine and Gross Motor Performance in Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in children. Children with ADHD have difficulties with co-contraction, producing muscle force, and regulating movement velocity, and physical fitness. The purpose of this study was to compare the gross and fine motor abilities in children with ADHD and children with typical development.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in children worldwide with a prevalence of 2.6-4.5% between the ages of 6 and 18 years. When compared to children with typical development, children with ADHD have lower scores in 9-12% of gross motor abilities, 9-36% of balance and postural control, 9-19% of fine motor abilities, and 19-22 % of manual and body coordination. Furthermore, children with ADHD have difficulties with co-contraction, producing muscle force, and regulating movement velocity, and physical fitness. As a consequence of the core symptoms of ADHD, such as inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity, over 30-50% of children with ADHD may have impaired motor ability. The purpose of this study was to compare the gross and fine motor abilities in children with ADHD and children with typical development.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Clinical diagnosis of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
• aged at 6 -15 years old
• able to understand and accept verbal instructions.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Clinical diagnosis of children with another psychiatric including autism spectrum disorder, psychotic symptoms, depression
• Clinical diagnosis of children with neurological disorder including cerebral palsy, epilepsy, or speech impairments
• the parents declined to participate in the study.