Title: Psychomotor disorders assesment in 4–6 year-old children with INPP test battery
Abstract: Background. Proprioception and balance are to most common motor problems in children with psychomotor disorders. One of the methods of testing the neuromotor maturity in children is examining the presence of persistent primitive (characteristic for newborns) reflexes. Sally Goddard Blythe developed a neuromotor tests battery that examines the presence of unintegrated primary reflexes in kindergarten and school children, as well as their psychomotor skills, taking into account primarily the balance–coordination aspects.Objectives. The aim of this study was to evaluate the primary reflexes integration in children aged 4–6 years with psychomotor disorders and their control of balance and motor skills.Material and Methods. Seventy-five children diagnosed with medical problems affecting their development were examined. The group was divided based on age into 3 equal subgroups of 4-, 5- and 6-year olds. Sex-dependent analysis was performed. The psychomotor skills in children from the analyzed group were evaluated with the INPP test set (The Institute for Neuro-Physiological Psychology in Chester, UK).Results. Current physical health condition and mobility of patients were significantly worse than before the fracture (p < 0.001). Their health condition required the help of other people significantly more often than before the fracture (p < 0.001). The intensity of pain was significantly lower than immediately after the fracture (p < 0.001). The emotional condition of the patients was significantly better than after the fracture (p < 0.001).Conclusion. The set of diagnostic tests proposed by Goddard Blythe is a useful diagnostic tool that should be used more often in the early diagnosis of children.