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Heart-rate variability in four normal and 30 mentally retarded children was investigated during nocturnal sleep. In four normal and 25 mentally retarded subjects, a high frequency component defined as spectral activity between 0.15 and 0.5 Hz was found in the compressed spectral array of the power spectra. A periodic change was seen in the high frequency component which corresponded precisely to the sleep cycle. However, four children with mental retardation did not show normally expected changes in the high frequency components specific to the sleep stages; a quantity of the high frequency component in only one sleep cycle (n = 2; 6 mo. and 3 yr., 8 mo.), a decreased quantity and discontinuity of the high frequency component in only the second sleep cycle (n = 1; 1 yr., 2 mo.), and no high frequency component in any sleep cycle (n = 1; 3 mo.). These findings suggest that some mentally retarded children have an abnormal parasympathetic nervous activity.

To confirm the 994 findings of Okuzumi, Haishi, and Kokubun, the displacement of the center of foot pressure, one-foot balance and head sway were measured in children with Down syndrome (n = 11) compared to those with other types of mental retardation (n = 17). The magnitudes of the displacement of the center of foot pressure and head sway were not significantly different between the Down group and other forms of mental retardation, whereas the performance of one-foot balance was significantly lower in the Down group. The mean frequencies of sway waves were generally higher in the Down group, and the differences between the two groups were significant except for sagittal head sway. The results generally supported the prior findings. We proposed that it was not the magnitude of the displacement of the center of foot pressure but rather the manner of the whole body's sway which might be related to postural control.

A study on differences in the efficiency of visual search in mentally retarded and normal subjects shows intelligence-related differences for certain dimensions. Large variations in performance exist within the group of mentally retarded subjects. Processes involved in speeded visual search for the dimensions of color and line orientation remain unaffected in both groups.

The relationship between age of walking and two factors of severity of intellectual disability and clinical types (autism, Down syndrome, epilepsy, and 'residual') in children with mental retardation was investigated. Subjects were 118 children whose disabilities ranged from severe to mild. Measures by clinical type were significant, and the differences of any two clinical types except between children with epilepsy and the 'residual' group were significant, but severity of intellectual disability was not significant. Most children with autism (27 subjects, 93%) walked by the normal time limit of 18 months. Only 3 children (11%) with Down syndrome began to walk within that limit, and 9 of them (33%) walked after 2 years of age. In the 'residual' group (including children with epilepsy), 37 children (60%) walked within the normal limit but 15 (25%) only after 2 years of age.

A modified form of judo training was practiced by a class of 7 blind, mentally retarded children with associated neuropsychiatric disturbances. The biweekly training program lasted for 6 months. Analysis indicated improvements in physical fitness, motor skills, and psychosocial attitude. The authors concluded that a modified form of judo can be used as a therapeutic, educational, and recreational tool for multiply handicapped children.

Training effects on the psychomotor performance of Down syndrome individuals were assessed. 32 boys and 25 girls (6 to 16 years old) were divided randomly into trained or untrained groups and into either severely or moderately mentally retarded using their WISC--R Performance IQs. Analysis showed that the group who had pretest training opportunities to manipulate experimental materials performed significantly better than those without that training while the moderately retarded children did significantly better than the severely retarded ones. It appears that the performance of persons with Down syndrome could be developed through training.

Abstract Aim--To detail the everyday occurrence of pain in non-communicating children with cognitive impairment. Methods--Thirty four parents of cognitively impaired verbally non-communicating children completed pain diaries over a two week […]

Proficiency in performances of fundamental motor skills (FMS) has been considered an underlining factor for success of more complex movements used in aquatic, dance, games, and sports (Wickstrom, 1982). Included [...]

Swimming and Parent-Child Relationship-Korea Aims: The purpose of this study was to examine parent-child relationship satisfaction perceived by parents regarding 15-week swimming class participation with parents and to develop a [...]