Neuropediatrics 2008; 39 - P087
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1215856

Is there an association between Touwen's neurological examination and the Zuerich neuromotor assessment?

EM Rapp 1, PB Marschik 2, J Pansy 2, C Einspieler 2
  • 1Schwarzwald-Baar Klinikum, Klinik für Kinderheilkunde und Jugendmedizin Villingen, Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany
  • 2Institut für Physiologie, Zentrum für Physiologische Medizin, Medizinische Universität Graz, Graz, Austria

Aims: The Zuerich neuromotor assessment (ZNA) is a standardized testing procedure for children, aged 5–18 years, in which distinct motor tasks are assessed with regard to timed performance, duration and degree of associated movements.

Aim: To assess the association between the ZNA and Touwen's neurological examination.

Participants: 30 children (19 girls, 11 boys) who have participated in a 10-year follow-up study on motor, language, and cognitive development. According to Touwen's neurological examination, 19 children were neurologically normal, 6 had simple minor neurological dysfunction (MND), and the remaining 5 were classified as complex MND.

Method: At the child's age of 10 years, we used again Touwen's neurological examination. In addition, the ZNA was carried out with an interval of 15 minutes between both assessments.

Results: Touwen's neurological examination did not correlate with the ZNA (timed motor performance; adaptive performance; dynamic balance; static balance; associated movements).

Conclusion: The ZNA should complement but not replace a traditional neurological examination.

(FWF P19581-B02; Lanyar Foundation 325)