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Martín-Pozuelo N, Carballo-Costa L, Solís-García M, Giancola M, Piccardi L, De las Cuevas-Terán I, Robles-García V. Measuring spatial navigation during locomotion in children: A systematic review. Heliyon 2024; 10:e33817. [PMID: 39050448 PMCID: PMC11268208 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e33817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Spatial navigation allows us to move around our environment, walking being the most advanced form of human locomotion. Over the years, a range of tools has been developed to study spatial navigation in children. Aim. To describe the role of locomotion during the assessment of spatial navigation in children, providing an overview of the instruments available for assessing spatial navigation in typically developing children and those with neurodevelopmental disorders. Methods and Procedures. A systematic search was performed in six electronic databases between December 2022 and February 2023, then updated in July 2023. Cross-sectional and observational studies were included. Outcomes and results. Of the 3,385 studies screened, 47 were selected for this review. Five studies described the influence of locomotion on spatial navigation, and seven studies included locomotion as an explanatory variable in this area. Most studies focused on children from five to twelve years old, whereas only nine were centred on infants and preschoolers. Just eight assessed spatial abilities in individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders. Conclusions and implications. Children with or at risk of neurodevelopmental impairments show poorer spatial navigation skills. Having the choice to actively explore the space is more important than the way they locomote. It is necessary to have tools to assess spatial navigation during locomotion early in infancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuria Martín-Pozuelo
- Neuroscience and Motor Control Group, Department of Physical Therapy, Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Universidade da Coruña and Biomedical Institute of A Coruña (INIBIC). Lugar das Xubias, 15006, A Coruña, Spain
- Deusto Physical TherapIker, Physical Therapy Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Deusto, 48007, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Lidia Carballo-Costa
- Sychosocial Intervention and Functional Rehabilitation Research Group, Department of Physiotherapy, Department of Physical Therapy, Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Universidade da Coruña. Lugar das Xubias, 15006, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Marina Solís-García
- Deusto Physical TherapIker, Physical Therapy Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Deusto, 48007, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Marco Giancola
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, P.le S. Tommasi, 1, 67010, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Laura Piccardi
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Marsi, 78, 00185, Rome, Italy
- San Raffaele Cassino Hospital, Via Gaetano di Biasio, 228, 03043 Cassino (FR), Italy
| | - Isabel De las Cuevas-Terán
- Neonatal Unit, Valdecilla University Hospital - Health Research Institute IDIVAL and Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences at University of Cantabria, Avenida de Valdecilla, 39008, Santander, Spain
| | - Verónica Robles-García
- Neuroscience and Motor Control Group, Department of Physical Therapy, Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Universidade da Coruña and Biomedical Institute of A Coruña (INIBIC). Lugar das Xubias, 15006, A Coruña, Spain
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Martín-Pozuelo N, Robles-García V, Piccardi L, Quintela del Rio A, Cudeiro J, De las Cuevas-Terán I. Adaptations of the Walking Corsi Test (WalCT) for 2- and 3-year-old preterm and term-born toddlers: A preliminary study. Front Pediatr 2023; 11:1081042. [PMID: 37009286 PMCID: PMC10064058 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2023.1081042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Topographical memory is crucial for navigation and environmental representation. The Walking Corsi Test (WalCT) has been used to evaluate topographical memory in children from 4 years upward. The present study aims to determine whether adapted versions of the WalCT- by simplifying instructions and increasing motivation- can be adopted to test topographical memory in 2- and 3-year-old toddlers born at term and preterm. Assessing this skill in such young children is important in light of recent studies that have shown how spatial cognition underlies the development of skills in other cognitive domains as well. Methods: For this purpose, 47 toddlers (27.39 ± 4.34 months, 38.3% females), 20 born at term and 27 preterm, performed two aimed-designed versions of WalCT. Results The results showed better performance of the term groups with increasing age and for both versions. On the other hand, performance was better in 2-year-old term toddlers vs. preterm. When rising motivation, 2-year-old preterm toddlers improve their performance but differences between both groups were still significant. The preterm group showed lower performance related to lower levels of attention. Discussion This study provides preliminary data on the suitability of the adapted versions of WalCT in early ages and prematurity conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuria Martín-Pozuelo
- Neuroscience and Motor Control Group, Department of Physical Therapy, Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Biomedical Institute of A Coruña (INIBIC), Universidade da Coruña, A Coruña, Spain
- Escuelas Universitarias Gimbernat, University of Cantabria, Torrelavega, Spain
| | - Verónica Robles-García
- Neuroscience and Motor Control Group, Department of Physical Therapy, Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Biomedical Institute of A Coruña (INIBIC), Universidade da Coruña, A Coruña, Spain
- Correspondence: Verónica Robles-García
| | - Laura Piccardi
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- San Raffaele Cassino Hospital, Cassino, Italy
| | | | - Javier Cudeiro
- Neuroscience and Motor Control Group, Department of Physical Therapy, Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Biomedical Institute of A Coruña (INIBIC), Universidade da Coruña, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Isabel De las Cuevas-Terán
- Neonatal Unit, Pediatric Department, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Research Institute Valdecilla (IDIVAL), Santander, Spain
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain
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Trickett J, Bernardi M, Fahy A, Lancaster R, Larsen J, Ni Y, Suonpera E, Wolke D, Marlow N, Johnson S. Neuropsychological abilities underpinning academic attainment in children born extremely preterm. Child Neuropsychol 2022; 28:746-767. [PMID: 35021954 DOI: 10.1080/09297049.2021.2014433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Children born extremely preterm (EP) have poorer academic attainment than their term-born peers. There is a need to identify the specific cognitive mechanisms that are associated with poor academic attainment in preterm populations to inform the development of intervention strategies. A parallel mediation analysis was conducted with cross-sectional data from 152 EP children (< 27 weeks of gestation) and 120 term-born controls who were assessed at age 11. Mathematics and reading attainment was assessed using the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test 2nd Edition. Controlling for sex and socio-economic status we evaluated the following mediators: verbal working memory, visuospatial working memory, verbal processing speed, attention, and visuospatial processing. These were assessed using subtests from the standardized NEPSY-II test and Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-5th Edition. Verbal working memory, visuospatial working memory, visuospatial processing and verbal processing speed, but not attention, were significant independent mediators between EP birth and attainment in reading. No direct relationship between EP birth and reading attainment remained in the mediated model. All five neuropsychological variables mediated the relationship between EP birth and attainment in mathematics, but a direct effect of EP birth on mathematics remained in the mediated model. Together, all five neuropsychological abilities indirectly explained 44% of the variance in reading and 52% of the variance in mathematics. Visuospatial processing was the strongest mediator of both mathematics and reading. Components of executive function, especially visuospatial processing, are important predictors of academic attainment. Interventions to improve visuospatial skills could be trialed in EP populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayne Trickett
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | | | - Amanda Fahy
- Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Rebecca Lancaster
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Jennifer Larsen
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Yanyan Ni
- Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Emmi Suonpera
- Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Dieter Wolke
- Department of Psychology, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Neil Marlow
- Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Samantha Johnson
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
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Neuropsychological Development and New Criteria for Extrauterine Growth Restriction in Very Low-Birth-Weight Children. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 8:children8110955. [PMID: 34828668 PMCID: PMC8619507 DOI: 10.3390/children8110955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Background: Controversy between short-term neonatal growth of very low birth-weight preterm (VLBW) and neurodevelopment may be affected by criteria changes of extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR). Objective: to determine if new EUGR criteria imply modifications in the relationship between old criteria and results of neuropsychological tests in preterm children. Patients and methods: 87 VLBW at 5–7 years of age were studied. Neuropsychological assessment included RIST test (Reynolds Intellectual Sctreening Test) and NEPSY-II (NE neuro, PSY psycolgy assessment) tests. The relationships between these tests and the different growth parameters were analyzed. Results: RIST index was correlated with z-score Fenton’s weight (p = 0.004) and length (p = 0.003) and with z-score IGW-21’s (INTERGRWTH-21 Project) weight (p = 0.004) and length (p = 0.003) at neonatal discharge, but not with z-score difference between birth and neonatal discharge in weight, length, and HC for both. We did not find a statistically significant correlation between Fenton or IGW-21 z-scores and scalar data of NEPSY-II subtasks. Conclusion: In our series, neonatal growth influence on neuropsychological tests at the beginning of primary school does not seem robust, except for RIST test. New EUGR criteria do not improve the predictive ability of the old ones.
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Fernandez‐Baizan C, Arias JL, Mendez M. Egocentric and allocentric spatial memory in young children: A comparison with young adults. INFANT AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/icd.2216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Fernandez‐Baizan
- Neuroscience Institute of Principado de Asturias (INEUROPA) 33003 Oviedo Spain
- Department of Psychology University of Oviedo 33003 Oviedo Spain
| | - Jorge L. Arias
- Neuroscience Institute of Principado de Asturias (INEUROPA) 33003 Oviedo Spain
- Department of Psychology University of Oviedo 33003 Oviedo Spain
| | - Marta Mendez
- Neuroscience Institute of Principado de Asturias (INEUROPA) 33003 Oviedo Spain
- Department of Psychology University of Oviedo 33003 Oviedo Spain
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Fernandez-Baizan C, Prieto MA, Martinez JA, Arias JL, Mendez M. Evaluation of Visuospatial Short-term and Working Memory from the First to Second Year of Life: A Novel Task. Dev Neuropsychol 2021; 46:16-32. [PMID: 33393380 DOI: 10.1080/87565641.2020.1869744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The prototypical tasks for assessing visuospatial memory in infancy are based on the search for a hidden object in two locations. Fewer studies include more locations, delayed responses nor changes in the object's position. Our aim was to assess the visuospatial short-term and working memory in 12, 15, 18 and 22-month-old children (N = 65). Assessment included our experimental task, a working memory task and a cognitive developmental scale. Short-term and working memory abilities increased markedly at 22 months compared to younger ages and the performance of the children in our experimental task is related to other tasks previously used.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Fernandez-Baizan
- Neuroscience Institute of Principado De Asturias (INEUROPA) , Oviedo, Spain.,Department of Psychology, University of Oviedo , Oviedo, Spain
| | - Miguel Angel Prieto
- Neuroscience Institute of Principado De Asturias (INEUROPA) , Oviedo, Spain.,Department of Electronic Technology, University of Oviedo , Oviedo, Spain
| | - J A Martinez
- Neuroscience Institute of Principado De Asturias (INEUROPA) , Oviedo, Spain.,Department of Electronic Technology, University of Oviedo , Oviedo, Spain
| | - J L Arias
- Neuroscience Institute of Principado De Asturias (INEUROPA) , Oviedo, Spain.,Department of Psychology, University of Oviedo , Oviedo, Spain
| | - M Mendez
- Neuroscience Institute of Principado De Asturias (INEUROPA) , Oviedo, Spain.,Department of Psychology, University of Oviedo , Oviedo, Spain
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