Reaction Times of Preschool Children on the Ruler Drop Test: A Cross-Sectional Study With Reference Values

Time to sense biofield (Prana) experiences between hands: A preliminary single blinded randomized placebo controlled trial

Aims

There is minimal research on the duration of biofield experiences. This preliminary study used the experiential learning practice of Master Choa Kok Sui's hands sensitisation to determine the duration to experience biofield sensations in between hands and to find the relationship between learning style preferences and biofield sensations.

Methods

This randomized placebo controlled, single blinded trial included 88 male and female pre-service teachers, aged 22.8±1.2 years. Participants completed a ruler drop test for reaction time, and Six Letter Cancellation test for measuring attention, learning style questionnaire for preferred method of learning, before randomization. The experimental (hands facing each other as introduced by Master Choa Kok Sui) and sham (hands facing opposite) groups practiced hands sensitisation. A semi-structured questionnaire was provided to gather information about biofield sensations and the time it took to experience these sensations between the hands.

Results

All (N=44) the participants in the experimental group and 13 participants in the sham group reported experiencing biofield sensations. A significant difference was noticed in experiencing magnetic (X 2 = 38.247, p ≤ .001), physical sensations of energy (X 2 = 12.02, p ≤ .001) and pain (X 2 = 62.259, p ≤ .001) among the experimental and sham group . In the experimental group, the average time taken to first experience magnetic sensation, other biofield sensations and temperature variation was 34.84±12.97seconds, 40.28±20.96 seconds and 42.50±19.79 seconds, respectively. Minimum time taken to first experience biofield sensation was 5 seconds and lasted up to study duration of 120 seconds. There was no correlation found between reaction time, sustained attention, and the time needed to experience biofield sensations.

Conclusions

This study highlights importance of Master Choa Kok Sui hand sensitization in controlled setting revealing differences in experiences of various biofield sensations, showing valuable time-related insights and variability of sensation based on preferred learning.

Functional physical training improves fitness and cognitive development in 4~5 years old children

Background

Development of physical and cognitive function is very critical in 4~5 years children. It has been addressed in this research if the 18 weeks of specific functional training with or without cognitive training can be effective on improving fitness and cognitive development in 4~5 years preschool children.

Methods

A total of 126 preschool children in the 4~5 age range were selected as participants and randomly assigned to one of four groups: the control group (C), the functional physical training group (P), the cognitive training group (CT), and the functional physical training combined with cognitive training group (PCT).

Results

The results revealed significant pre/post differences in body height and weight among all four groups of children. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in physical fitness between the C group and the CT group after the intervention. However, the children in the P group and the PCT group showed significant improvements in three indicators including standing long jump, continuous jump, and 10-meter shuttle running. Additionally, the children in P group, CT group, and the PCT group demonstrated significant improvement in simple reaction time, attention, and spatial memory. No significant cognitive improvement was found in C group.

Conclusion

Functional physical training with or without cognitive intervention can promote both physical fitness and cognitive development in children aged 4~5 years. Cognitive training alone can significantly improve cognitive function but not physical. Therefore, functional physical training can be used alone to improve the physical and cognitive abilities for aged 4~5 years old children.

The effectiveness of mobilization with movement on patients with mild and moderate carpal tunnel syndrome: A single-blinded, randomized controlled study

STUDY DESIGN

Single-blinded, randomized controlled study.

INTRODUCTION

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) causes pain and loss of function in the affected hand. The mobilization with movement (MWM) technique is a manual therapy method applied to correct joint movement limitation and to relieve pain and functional disorders.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of MWM technique on pain, grip strength, range of motion, edema, hand reaction, nerve conduction, and functional status in patients with CTS.

METHODS

A total of 45 patients enrolled in the study. The MWM group (n = 18) completed a 4-week combined conservative physiotherapy and MWM program, whereas the control group (n = 18) received only the 4 weeks of conservative physiotherapy. Pain severity according to the numerical rating scale was used as primary outcome.

RESULTS

We found an improvement within the subjects in resting pain (MWMG:5.1 ± 3.6 vs 1.1 ± 2.4, Effect Size (ES)=1.3; CG:4.5 ± 3.3 vs 1.0 ± 2.2, ES=1.1), in activity pain (MWMG:6.5 ± 3.7 vs 1.1 ± 2.4, ES=1.5; CG:4.8 ± 3.4 vs 2.2 ± 2.3, ES=1) and in night pain (MWMG:5.9 ± 3.2 vs 1.8 ± 2.5, ES=1.2; CG:5.3 ± 4.2 vs ± 2.3 ± 3.5, ES=0.9). For between the groups, a statistical difference was found for the activity pain, Disabilities of the Arm Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire score (MWMG:52.2 ± 23.8 vs 27 ± 24.7, ES=1.3; CG:47.0 ± 24.8 vs 41.5 ± 22.1, ES=0.2), Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ-1), (MWMG:44.4 ± 23.7 vs 74.7 ± 24.5, ES=1.3; CG:44.8 ± 17.4 vs 57.4 ± 21.7, ES=0.9) and MHQ-5 (MWMG:68.8 ± 13.1 vs 82.5 ± 11.5, ES=0.9; CG:63.4 ± 26.7 vs 59.3 ± 25.8, ES=0.1) parameters in favour of MWM group.

DISCUSSION

This study showed that MWM compared to conservative physiotherapy might be more effective in reducing perceived symptoms in mild and moderate CTS patients.

CONCLUSIONS

MWM produced a small benefit to recovery of activity pain and upper extremity functionality level outcomes of patients with mild to moderate CTS when added to a traditional CTS physical therapy program.

Overweight/obesity and socio-demographic disparities in children's motor and cognitive function

Fundamental motor skills (FMS) and cognitive function are important indicators of development in early childhood. Using a cross-sectional design, the purpose of this study was to investigate obesity (healthy weight vs. overweight/obese) and socio-demographic (i.e., gender, SES) disparities in FMS (locomotor and ball skills) and cognitive function (reaction time [RT] and movement time [MT]), in preschoolers. There were 74 preschoolers (girl = 38; M_age = 4.02 ± 0.73) recruited from two childcare centers and were categorized into healthy weight (n = 58, BMI percentile < 85%) and overweight/obese (n = 16, BMI percentile ≥ 85%) categories. Children's FMS were assessed using the TGMD-3; cognitive function was assessed by the iPad-based CANTAB™ software using the Reaction Time Task (RTI), including reaction time (RT; Simple RT [SRT], choice RT [CRT]) and movement time (MT; simple MT [SMT], choice MT [CMT]). Children presented less FMS proficiency compared to recent data. Both weight groups performed comparably in FMS (ps > 0.05; ball skill Cohen's d = 0.40; locomotor Cohen's d = 0.02). Children in the overweight/obese group performed significantly worse on all cognitive tests compared to healthy weight peers (ps < 0.05; Cohen's d range from -0.93 to -1.43). No significant gender or SES disparities were observed. Maintaining healthy weight status is critical for cognitive development among preschoolers, which may influence their developmental trajectory and school readiness.

The effects of exercises with a Pilates ball on balance, reaction time and dual-task performance of kindergarten children

Aim: This study investigated the effects of exercises conducted with a Pilates ball on the motor skills of preschool children. Methods: 62 preschool children were randomly divided into two groups: an intervention group (IG) (n = 30) and a control group (CG) (n = 32). Exercises with a Pilates ball were practiced in IG. The One Leg Standing test, Functional Reach test, Ruler Drop test and Timed-Up and Go test were the outcome measures. Results: Static balance performance and dual-task performance were found to be significantly improved in the intragroup and intergroup comparisons, favoring the IG (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The exercises carried out in this study were found to be effective on static balance and dual-task performance. The study can guide an exercise program for the preschool age group. Clinical Trial Registration: NCT04575441 (ClinicalTrials.gov).

Study on the Influence of Proprioceptive Control versus Visual Control on Reaction Speed, Hand Coordination, and Lower Limb Balance in Young Students 14-15 Years Old

Currently, sports activities require a high reaction speed, coordination, and balance, highlighting the relationship between proprioceptive control, visual control, and hand–eye coordination in youth. The present research assessed the proprioceptive control, reaction speed, and lower limb balance of youth from five different schools to identify the level of physical preparation of children in this direction. This prospective study was conducted between 1 January 2020 and 29 February 2020. A total of 107 healthy children (33 females and 74 males) with appropriate medical conditions, aged between 14 and 15 years, from five Romanian schools were included in the experiment. All children were assessed for visual control and reaction speed with the ruler drop test, and for lower limb balance, the standing stork test was used. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, data series distribution, and comparison of means and medians using specific statistical programs. Comparison of medians highlighted significant statistical differences in the standing stork test with eyes closed and the dominant leg compared with the nondominant leg (p = 0.0057). Males were compared to females at the nondominant leg (p = 0.0179); closed eyes were compared with opened eyes for the nondominant leg (p = 0.0175 and 0.0006) for the ruler drop test comparing the dominant hand with the nondominant hand (p = 0.0212). Children who engage in sports activities better integrated sensory information in motor action execution based on reaction speed and coordination with the nondominant hand.