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The stability of single and bimanual (i.e., in-phase and antiphase) rhythmic finger movements was studied in 24 children with a developmental coordination disorder (DCD) and 24 matched controls from a dynamic pattern perspective. Stability was assessed by applying perturbations and measuring the time the system needed to return to its initial stability (i.e., the relaxation time). In addition, fluctuations of the patterns were measured. For antiphase coordination patterns, the frequency at which loss of stability occurred was also determined. Children with DCD displayed less stable single and bimanual rhythmic coordination patterns than control children. Further, within the DCD group, 9 children were identified as having particularly poor bimanual coordination stability. Individual differences suggested that variability of individual limb oscillations might have contributed to this poorer interlimb coordination stability. Findings were discussed in relation to a previous study on DCD in which the Wing-Kristofferson timekeeper model was applied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children with developmental co-ordination disorder ( DCD) face evident motor difficulties in activities of daily living ( ADL). Assessment of their capacity in ADL is essential for diagnosis and intervention, in order to limit the daily consequences of the disorder. The aim of this study is to systematically review potential instruments for standardized and objective assessment of children's capacity in ADL, suited for children with DCD. As a first step, databases of MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and PsycINFO were searched to identify studies that described instruments with potential for assessment of capacity in ADL. Second, instruments were included for review when two independent reviewers agreed that the instruments (1) are standardized and objective; (2) assess at activity level and comprise items that reflect ADL; and (3) are applicable to school-aged children that can move independently. Out of 1507 publications, 66 publications were selected, describing 39 instruments. Seven of these instruments were found to fulfil the criteria and were included for review: the Bruininks- Oseretsky Test of Motor Performance-2 ( BOT2); the Do- Eat ( Do- Eat); the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 ( MABC2); the school- Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (school AMPS); the Tuffts Assessment of Motor Performance ( TAMP); the Test of Gross Motor Development ( TGMD); and the Functional Independence Measure for Children ( WeeFIM). As a third step, for the included instruments, suitability for children with DCD was discussed based on the ADL comprised, ecological validity and other psychometric properties. We concluded that current instruments do not provide comprehensive and ecologically valid assessment of capacity in ADL as required for children with DCD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]