Head, trunk and arm posture amplitude and variation, muscle activity, sedentariness and physical activity of 3 to 5 year-old children during tablet computer use compared to television watching and toy play

Children with developmental coordination disorders: a review of approaches to assessment and intervention

Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in motor skills, with gross and fine motor dysfunction being the main symptom. This condition greatly impairs children's daily life, learning, and social interaction. Symptoms typically appear during preschool or school age, and if left untreated, they can persist into adulthood. Thus, early assessment and intervention are crucial to improve the prognosis. This study aims to review the existing literature on DCD, providing a comprehensive overview of the assessment for children with DCD in terms of body functions and structures, activities and participation, and environmental factors within the framework of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health - Children and Youth (ICF-CY). Additionally, specific rehabilitation interventions will be described, offering valuable insights for the clinical assessment and intervention of children with DCD.

Effects of emotion coaching group programme for mothers of preschool children with smart device overdependence: a mixed methods study

BACKGROUND

Smart device overdependence adversely affects the overall development of preschool children. This study aimed to provide an emotion coaching group programme to mothers raising preschool children who are overly dependent on smart devices and to confirm the programme's effectiveness.

METHODS

This concurrent embedded mixed methods study used a non-equivalent control group pre-post design to verify the quantitative effect of the programme, and a descriptive research design to verify the qualitative effect. The study collected data from June 2019 to March 2021 from 51 (25 experimental, 26 control) mothers raising children aged 3-6 years in South Korea. The quantitative study examined the effects of an eight-session programme, conducted once a week for two hours, on mothers' emotional intelligence, parenting behaviour, and their children's attachment stability and smart device overdependence using a non-equivalent control group pre-post design. The analysis used a generalized estimate equation. For qualitative research, focus group interviews were used as a descriptive research design method, and content analysis was used for analysis.

RESULTS

Quantitatively, the results showed significant differences between the experimental and control groups in terms of changes in maternal emotional intelligence (χ2 = 14.99, p = .001), maternal positive parenting behaviour (χ2 = 9.32, p = .009), children's unstable attachment to their mothers (χ2 = 9.49, p = .009), and children's overdependence on smart devices (χ2 = 14.48, p = .001). Qualitatively, the study derived five themes for the experiences of mothers who participated in the programme: "hope for desirable parenting without emotional difficulties," "feelings touched by reflection," "warm but authoritative parenting," "children who became responsible by gaining psychological stability," and "changed view of my home."

CONCLUSIONS

The emotion coaching group programme was effective in improving the emotional intelligence and parenting behaviour of mothers raising preschool children. The programme also improved preschool children's attachment stability to their mothers and overdependence on smart devices. The programme can be useful in community practice, and the present study can be used as evidence for education and research related to device overdependence.

'There's good and bad': parent perspectives on the influence of mobile touch screen device use on prenatal attachment

The potential for human-computer interaction to have a substantial impact on adults is well documented. However, its potential importance prior to birth has rarely been reported. Parental use of smartphones and tablet computers could influence the relationship between parent and baby during pregnancy (prenatal attachment) and thus child development. Twenty-seven families were interviewed to explore how parents used these devices during pregnancy, and how device use influenced parents' thoughts, feelings and behaviours towards their baby while in utero. All used devices for a variety of purposes, and all described good levels of prenatal attachment. Parents described both disrupted and enhanced connectedness as a result of device use, and increased parental stress. The findings highlight a new opportunity for how device design and use guidelines could support families to maximise benefits and reduce detriments of device use to optimise prenatal attachment, and thus future parent-child attachment and child development. Practitioner summary: Many parents regularly use smartphones and tablet computers while pregnant. This qualitative study found that how devices were used either enhanced or disrupted feelings of prenatal attachment. Practitioners should be aware of potential beneficial and detrimental impacts of device use during pregnancy given implications for future attachment and child development.

Relationship between Mother’s emotional intelligence, negative parenting behaviour, Preschooler’s attachment instability, and smart device overdependence

Background

As smart device overdependence among preschoolers could adversely affect their overall development, it is essential to understand the related factors of such overdependence. Mothers have a large influence on preschoolers; however,, the relationship between mothers’ emotional intelligence, negative parenting behaviour, preschoolers’ attachment instability, and smart device overdependence remain unclear. This study aims to develop and test a structural model to explain smart device overdependence among preschoolers.

Methods

The study collects and analyses data from January to May 2021 from 283 mothers raising children aged 3–6 years in South Korea. Questionnaires regarding mothers’ emotional intelligence and negative parenting behaviour, as well as preschoolers’ attachment instability and smart device overdependence, were used to collect data. The data were analysed by SPSS23.0 and AMOS 23.0 software and a structural equation model was constructed; p ≤ 0.05 was taken as significant.

Results

Mothers’ emotional intelligence had a direct negative relationship with mothers’ negative parenting behaviour (β = − 0.44) and an indirect negative relationship with preschoolers’ attachment instability (β = − 0.25) and preschoolers’ smart device overdependence (β = − 0.24). Mothers’ negative parenting behaviour had a direct positive relationship with preschoolers’ attachment instability (β = 0.56) and both direct and indirect positive relationships with preschoolers’ smart device overdependence (β = 0.55). Preschoolers’ attachment instability had a direct positive relationship with preschoolers’s smart device overdependence (β = 0.46).

Conclusions

Mothers’ emotional intelligence, negative parenting behaviour, and preschoolers’ attachment instability are associated with preschoolers’ vulnerability to smart device overdependence. These results are shown that more attention is needed to these variables in order to reduce preschoolers’ overdependence on smart devices. Additionally, we propose to develop and provide interventions based on these results.

The Ergonomic Association between Shoulder, Neck/Head Disorders and Sedentary Activity: A Systematic Review

Background

Work-associated upper limb and neck disorders are common occupational disorders throughout the world. These disorders are usually observed more in workers who spend a long time sitting, referred to as sedentary activity (SA). The immediate and distorted risk of sedentary-related problems was considered high in Europe, Australia, and the United States. Even though mediation is convenient, it is likely to reduce office workers' risks of developing cervical and upper body pain due to sedentary work. This systematic review addresses risk factors and evaluates the relationship between SA and upper body disorders in office workers (i.e., shoulder and neck/head).

Methods

PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched for articles published between January 2010 and August 2021 in the English language. The three keywords “sedentary,” “upper body elements,” and “work” (and their derivatives) were searched to identify studies and carry out this systematic review. The articles were searched so that all three keywords or at least a derivation of each keyword should appear. Findings. Of the 40 articles that met the enclosure criteria, 32 studies examined the association of SA and upper body elements during both office and computer work. However, three articles were evaluated in the sit-stand work environment, and in the remaining five studies, one was evaluated during teaching, two during hospital work, and two during mixed working conditions.

Conclusions

Research related to SA focuses mainly on extended risk factors, but there was no focus on other aspects, such as muscle and tendon contractions. As there is a convincing connection between SA and the upper body, our close examination identifies the need to institutionalize a system for collecting, analyzing, and describing the impact and short-term effects of SA on the upper body. Additionally, some suggestions were made to minimize the risk in a sedentary working environment.

The association of mobile touch screen device use with parent-child attachment: a systematic review

Mobile touch screen devices (smartphones and tablet computers) have become an integral part of many parents' and children's lives, with this interaction linked to physical, mental and social outcomes. Despite the known importance of parent-child attachment, evidence on the association between device use and attachment was yet to be reviewed. Following protocol pre-registration, databases were searched, papers screened, and methodological quality assessed. Three papers met the inclusion criteria, and reported some negative associations between duration of parent/child smartphone use and attachment outcomes. A narrative synthesis on two groups of related papers found child time using any screen technology (including television viewing), and child 'problematic' internet, mobile phone, gaming and social media use, was negatively associated with attachment outcomes. Currently there is limited direct evidence on any association between time parents or children spend using these devices and parent-child attachment to support time guidelines for families and professionals working with families. Practitioner summary: Many parents and children regularly spend time using smartphones and tablet computers. This systematic review found limited evidence evaluating associations between child/adolescent or parent time using devices and parent-child attachment. Until quality evidence exists, practitioners should be alert to potential impacts of device use on family relationships and child outcomes.

Influence of physical activity and postural habits in schoolchildren with scoliosis

BACKGROUND

Scoliosis is considered one of the main musculoskeletal changes in childhood, and is characterized by three-dimensional changes in the spine. Schoolchildren is a group who are directly exposed to this condition because they go through a rapid growth phase in adolescence, added to other external factors such as school environment and daily living habits such as little physical activity. This study aimed to identify the risk factors associated with scoliosis in schoolchildren.

METHODS

An observational, retrospective case control study with a quantitative approach was carried out in the city of Santa Cruz/RN. The presence of scoliosis was assessed using the Adams test and physical activity by the Daily Physical Activity Index (IPAQ) and by a questionnaire on competitive sports practice, in addition to a questionnaire on postural habits in childhood and adolescence. Conditional multiple logistic regression was performed for statistical analysis, and the adjusted Odds Ratios (OR) and the respective confidence intervals (95%) of the outcome variable were estimated.

RESULTS

A total of 156 schoolchildren participated in the study, with an average age of 13.9 years, with 55.1% being female and 44.9% male, attending between the 6th grade of elementary school and the 3rd year of high school. Furthermore, 42.9% of these participants were considered irregularly active and only 33.3% practiced physical activity on a regular basis. After bivariate analysis and conditional logistic regression, little physical activity was shown to be a risk factor for scoliosis (p = 0.041; OR: 2.81; 95% CI: 1.04-7.57), while the postural habits evaluated in this study did not show a statistical association with scoliosis.

CONCLUSION

Low practice of physical activity and schoolchildren being classified as irregularly active were considered as risk factors for scoliosis, however postural habits do not seem to be associated with this condition.

[Parental Factors Associated with Smartphone Overuse in Preschoolers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis]

PURPOSE

This study aimed to identify parental factors associated with smartphone overuse in preschoolers.

METHODS

A systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Relevant studies published in peer-reviewed journals from 2009 to June 2019 were identified through systematic search in 10 electronic databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Central, EMBASE, Web of Science, NDSL, KISS, KMbase, KoreaMed, and RISS). Standardized effect sizes were calculated to quantify the associations of parental factors with smartphone overuse in preschoolers using meta-analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 30 cross-sectional studies involving 7,943 participants met the inclusion criteria. The following were negatively correlated with smartphone overuse in preschoolers: mother's parenting self-efficacy (r=-.35), mother-child attachment (r=-.28), mother's positive parenting behavior (r=-.28), mother's positive parenting attitude (r=-.25), and father's parenting involvement (r=-.15). Further, maternal factors such as smartphone addiction tendency (r=.41), parenting stress (r=.40), negative parenting behavior (r=.35), negative parenting attitude (r=.14), smartphone usage time (r=.26), employment status (r=.18), and age (r=.12) were positively correlated with smartphone overuse in preschoolers.

CONCLUSION

Several parental factors influence smartphone overuse in preschoolers. These findings emphasize the need to assess and enhance the parental factors identified in this study to prevent smartphone overuse in preschoolers. Accordingly, we recommend the development of preventive interventions to strengthen parent-related protective factors and mitigate risk factors.

Examination of the effects of technological device use on preschool children's quality of life: An exploratory and cross-sectional study

AIM

This exploratory and cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the effects of technological device use on preschool children's life quality.

METHODS

One hundred twenty-five preschool students were recruited from two kindergartens affiliated to the Directorate of National Education in provincial centre of Zonguldak, Turkey. Personal Information Form and Quality of Life Scale for Young Children (KINDL Quality of Life Scale) were tools for data, collected by the researcher herself from parents through face-to-face interview method.

RESULTS

It was found in the study that 54.4% of the parents and 42.4% of their children who were involved in the study were frequently used technological devices. Mean score of the children's KINDL Quality of Life Scale was 79.2 (9.5; range 57-99). When comparing this score and its subscales with children's desire to not sleep due to playing virtual games and so forth, the differences between all the other subscales except self-esteem were significant (p < 0.05). A significant difference was also found between the children's sleeping hours and subscales such as self-esteem, physical and emotional health (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The results show that more than half of the parents and their children frequently use the technological devices. Healthcare providers should inform the parents regarding the possibly negative consequences such as negatively affecting the children's quality of life.

Physical Activity, Screen-Based Sedentary Behavior and Physical Fitness in Chinese Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study

Purpose: The aim of this study is to explore the relationship between screen-based sedentary behavior, physical activity and physical fitness among Chinese adolescents. Methods: This study randomly selected adolescents from 10 administrative districts in Shandong, China. The data gathering tools for demographic and other characteristics (gender, age, body mass index and socioeconomic status), PA (PAQ-A) and screen-based sedentary behavior (YRBSS) and physical fitness (NSPFH 2014) were utilized in this study. Statistical analysis was performed by T-test, chi-square test and multiple linear regression. Results: 10,002 adolescents (14.39 years ± 1.79) participated in the study. The results demonstrated that BMI and high TV viewing time had a significant negative correlation with physical fitness, but there was no association between the amount of time spent playing computer/video games and physical fitness among adolescents. High SES and physical activity in leisure time five or more times per week were significantly associated with most dimensions of physical fitness. Conclusions: the results suggest that we not only need to focus on adolescent risk behavior associated with low socioeconomic status and obesity, but also enforce physical activity and reduce sedentary television-watching behavior, which will be crucial pathways and strategies to improve the physical fitness of Chinese adolescents.

EFFECTS OF POSTURAL EDUCATION IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Objective:

To determine the effect of postural education on the learning and postural habits of elementary school children without physical intervention.

Methods:

We searched PubMed, Lilacs, SciELO, Cochrane, and Science Direct data bases and reference lists of studies in February 2020. The eligibility criteria were randomized clinical trials related to the effect of postural education in children aged between 6 and 12 years old. Two authors independently assessed trials for inclusion and risk of bias: randomization process, deviations from intended interventions, missing outcome data, measurement of the outcome, and selection of the reported result. Data were extracted in standardized tables including information on author, publication year, country, sample size, age, sex, intervention characteristics, outcome measurements and results.

Results:

We found seven clinical trials (involving 2,568 children) for the review. The studies were conducted between 2000 and 2018: four in Belgium, two in Spain, and one in Germany. All seven included trials underwent evaluation: only one had a clear process of randomization and allocation concealment. All included studies were judged as having high risk of bias in at least one domain or have concerns for multiple domains.

Conclusions:

The positive effects of acquired knowledge and postural habits found in the studies cannot be used to reliably support postural education in elementary school children due to a high risk of bias in the evaluated studies.

The Relationships between Screen Use and Health Indicators among Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review

Evidence suggests that excessive screen time in early childhood is related to children's physical and mental health. This study aimed to review the relationships between screen media use and several health indicators in infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. A systematic search was conducted by two independent reviewers on PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library to identify the eligible studies, with an end date of 13 August 2019. Included studies (published in English) were peer-reviewed and met the determinate population (children aged 0-7 years with screen media exposure and related health outcomes). The AHRQ, NOS, and the Cochrane Handbook were used to evaluate the cross-sectional study, cohort study, and RCT, respectively. A meta-analysis and narrative syntheses were employed separately. Eighty studies (23 studies for meta-analysis) met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review. Strong evidence of the meta-analysis suggested that excessive screen time was associated with overweight/obesity and shorter sleep duration among toddlers and preschoolers. Excessive screen use was associated with various health indicators in physical, behavioral, and psychosocial aspects. Better-quality research on newer media devices, on various kinds of contents in young children, and on dose-response relationships between excessive screen use and health indicators are needed to update recommendations of screen use.

Exploring the Reliability and Validity of the TechU-Q to Evaluate Device and Purpose Specific Screen Use in Preschool Children and Parents

Young children are increasingly using mobile technology, with potential for positive and negative developmental consequences. Parents are responsible to guide children in their use of technology based on recommendations and guidelines. Guidelines for screen use in young children have been based on little empirical information on contemporary screen use. This study surveyed parents of young children (n = 96, mean child age 3.0, SD 1.0 years) from three settings (Australia, United States) to test the reliability and validity of a new tool to capture richer data on technology use within a techno-microsystem. The TechU-Q demonstrated reasonable test-retest reliability and face and construct validity. Young children averaged more than 60 min per day of total technology use, mostly using TV, tablet computers, and mobile phones. The primary purposes for child use were educational and watching videos. Parental attitudes towards technology and parent use were associated with their child's use. Future guidelines should utilize detailed descriptions of technology use by device and purpose to provide more relevant advice on technology use for young children.