Abstract
Objectives
Dyslexia is a learning disability with a prevalence of between 5 and 10% in Spain. There is a relationship between the cognitive and motor aspects, which is manifested in dyslexic children due to deficits in coordination, motor control, and balance, caused by a lack of integration of inputs from the cerebellum. Rhythmic movement therapy (RMT) seems to improve not only motor deficits in dyslexic children but also educational skills. The aim of the present study was to apply an exercise programme based on RMT and to analyse the effects on coordination, motor control, and reading ability in children diagnosed with dyslexia.
Method
A prospective, longitudinal, and descriptive case series (n = 6) intra-subject intervention study was conducted. Tests assessing motor control, balance, coordination, reading ability, and primitive asymmetric tonic neck reflex (ATNR), symmetric tonic neck reflex (STNR), and tonic labyrinthine reflex (TLR) were performed. An 11-week home exercise programme based on RMT was prescribed, and a post-intervention assessment was performed.
Results
Improvements in stability and reading ability were found, as well as a negativisation of several primitive reflexes. No statistically significant differences were found in motor control and coordination.
Conclusions
RMT-based exercise programme appears to be effective in improving balance and reading skills in dyslexic children.
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Data Availability
Data sheets used in the preparation of tables 2-4 of this manuscript are available as supplementary material to this publication.
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Acknowledgements
We would like to thank the Association of Dyslexics of Aragon for helping us to publicise the project to recruit participants for the study.
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Jorge Pérez Rey: conceptualisation, data curation, formal analysis and investigation, writing — original draft. Pablo Fanlo Mazas: conceptualisation, supervision, writing — review and editing. Marina Gil-Calvo: conceptualisation, methodology, formal analysis and investigation, resources, supervision, writing — review and editing.
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The study adhered to the tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the Ethics Committee for Clinical Research of the Autonomous Community of Aragon (Spain; CEICA) prior to subject enrolment (C.I. PI21/087).
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Informed consent was obtained from the parents of the children to participate in the study, and consent was signed for the publication of data and photographs.
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The authors declare no competing interests.
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Pérez-Rey, J., Fanlo-Mazas, P. & Gil-Calvo, M. Effects of an Exercise Program Based on Rhythmic Movements on Coordination, Motor Control, and Reading Ability in Dyslexic Children: a Case Series. Adv Neurodev Disord 8, 469–477 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41252-023-00357-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41252-023-00357-y