Limitations of the Neurological Evolutional Exam (ENE) as a motor assessment for first graders

作者：Cacola Priscila M^*; Bobbio Tatiana G; Arias Amabile V; Goncalves Vanda G; Gabbard Carl

来源：Revista Brasileira de Fisioterapia, 2010, 14(5): 372-376.

DOI：10.1590/S1413-35552010005000024

• motor skills
• psychomotor performance
• child development

Background: Many clinicians and researchers in Brazil consider the Neurological Developmental Exam (NDE), a valid and reliable assessment for Brazilian school-aged children. However, since its inception, several tests have emerged that, according to some researchers, provide more in-depth evaluation of motor ability and go beyond the detection of general motor status (soft neurological signs). Objectives: To highlight the limitations of the NDE as a motor skill assessment for first graders. Methods: Thirty-five children were compared on seven selected items of the NDE, seven of the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test (BOT), and seven of the Visual-Motor Integration test (VMI). Participants received a "pass" or "fail" score for each item, as prescribed by the respective test manual. Results: Chi-square and ANOVA results indicated that the vast majority of children (74%) passed the NDE items, whereas values for the other tests were 29% (BOT) and 20% (VMI). Analysis of specific categories (e. g. visual, fine, and gross motor coordination) revealed a similar outcome. Conclusions: Our data suggest that while the NDE may be a valid and reliable test for the detection of general motor status, its use as a diagnostic/remedial tool for identifying motor ability is questionable. One of our recommendations is the consideration of a revised NDE in light of the current needs of clinicians and researchers.

• 出版日期2010-10