Motor profile of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, combined type.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to assess the motor profile of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), combined type. METHOD The case group consisted of 34 treatment-naive, male patients, aged 7-11 years, who had been diagnosed with ADHD, combined type, without comorbidities (except oppositional defiant disorder). The control group was composed of 32 age- and gender-matched, typically developing children. The evaluation was made using the Motor Development Scale, which assessed global and fine motricity, balance, body scheme, and spatial and temporal organization. RESULTS The results showed that the motor quotients in all areas studied were lower in the ADHD group than in the control group, although in most cases they represent normal values relative to the scale (53% were classified as having "normal medium" motor development, 29% "normal low", 9% "very low", 6% "normal high" and 3% as "lower"). Statistically significant differences between groups were observed in general motor age, general motor quotient, balance, spatial organization, and fine and global motricity. CONCLUSION Difficulties in motor performance were observed in the children with ADHD, combined type. The identification of such deficits may assist in the design of therapeutic protocols for the treatment of children with this type of ADHD.