Impairment of a motor skill in children with spina bifida cystica and hydrocephalus: An exploratory study

Abstract

Twenty children 7-10 yr old with spina bifida cystica and hydrocephalus and 20 normals matched for age, sex and IQ were compared on a 12-trial target task. A significant impairment in dotting speed in the spina bifida group was shown, although both groups improved with practice. In a 2nd experiment, visual monitoring of this task was restricted. The spina bifida children were initially more affected than the controls but able to recover. The findings were discussed in relation to neurological abnormalities in the spina bifida group.