A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Associations Between Motor Milestone Timing and Motor Development in Neurodevelopmental Conditions

Aislinn Bowler, Tomoki Arichi, Chloe Austerberry, Pasco Fearon, Angelica Ronald

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Early motor skills may be important early markers of neurodevelopmental conditions or predictors of their later onset. To explore this, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of infant motor skill assessments in those who go on to gain a clinical diagnosis of autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), schizophrenia, language conditions, tic disorders, or developmental coordination disorder (DCD). In total, 63 articles met inclusion criteria. Three three-level meta-analyses were run. Meta-analysis of milestone achievement in N= 21205 individuals revealed gross motor milestones were significantly delayed compared to controls (g= 0.53, p< 0.001). Subgroup analyses revealed autism (g= 0.63) and DCD (g= 0.53) had the highest magnitude delays. Specific delays were revealed for holding the head up (g= 0.21), sitting (g= 0.28), standing (g= 0.35), crawling (g= 0.19), and walking (g= 0.71). Meta-analyses of standardised motor skill measurements in N= 1976 individuals revealed reduced performance compared to controls in autism and language conditions (g= −0.54, p< 0.001). Together, these findings demonstrate delayed milestone attainment and motor impairments in early childhood in neurodevelopmental conditions.

Original languageEnglish
Article number105825
Pages (from-to)105825
JournalNeuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews
Volume167
Early online date25 Jul 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2024

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