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Autism Spectrum Disorders Among Pre-primary and Primary School Pupils in Uyo, Nigeria
Paulinus Umoren Essien,
Mkpouto Udeme Akpan,
Emmanuel Eyo Ekanem
Issue:
Volume 5, Issue 6, November 2017
Pages:
60-65
Received:
24 August 2017
Accepted:
21 September 2017
Published:
8 November 2017
Abstract: Autism Spectrum Disorders are a group of neuro-developmental disorders prevalent in school children. There is no known study on its prevalence among children in mainstream primary schools in our environment. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and pattern of autism spectrum disorders among children in Uyo, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 2,641 pupils aged 3-11 years from twelve primary schools in Uyo. The Gilliam Autism Rating Scale-second edition (GARS-2) and Gilliam Asperger’s Disorder Scale (GADS) were completed by both the class teachers and the parents. Student ‘t’ test was used to compare means and chi square to compare proportion. p-value<0.05 was considered significant. Twenty- nine had Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) giving a prevalence rate of 1.1%. Nineteen had pervasive developmental disorder, not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), 8 had autistic disorder (AD) and 2 had Asperger’s disorder (AsD). ASD was commoner in males, young age group (3-5 years) and children of upper social class. It was concluded that ASD is prevalent among children in mainstream primary schools in Uyo, Nigeria. Appropriate healthcare policy should be put in place to cater for the special needs of these children.
Abstract: Autism Spectrum Disorders are a group of neuro-developmental disorders prevalent in school children. There is no known study on its prevalence among children in mainstream primary schools in our environment. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and pattern of autism spectrum disorders among children in Uyo, Nigeria. A cross-section...
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A Short Duration Co-vibration Protocol of Antagonist Ankle Muscles to Induce Compensatory Postural Adjustments in Quiet Standing
Romain Tisserand,
Yannick Fonollosa,
Thomas Robert,
Laurence Chèze,
Pascal Chabaud
Issue:
Volume 5, Issue 6, November 2017
Pages:
66-69
Received:
5 October 2017
Accepted:
19 October 2017
Published:
16 November 2017
Abstract: Vibration protocols classically used to alter kinesthetic information are limited for studying quick compensatory postural responses normally induced by external balance perturbations. To overcome these limitations, this study proposes a co-vibration protocol of ankle antagonist muscles: from a co-vibration baseline at 40 Hz a switch at 80 Hz is applied for 1 second but on the agonists only. This protocol induced both quick illusions and quick compensatory postural adjustments coherent with previous literature. This technical solution will be useful to build future protocols investigating the role of kinesthetic sensory information in quick compensatory postural responses.
Abstract: Vibration protocols classically used to alter kinesthetic information are limited for studying quick compensatory postural responses normally induced by external balance perturbations. To overcome these limitations, this study proposes a co-vibration protocol of ankle antagonist muscles: from a co-vibration baseline at 40 Hz a switch at 80 Hz is ap...
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Inter-trial Reliability, Cardio and Demographic Markers of Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test Performance in Young Adult Sample from Nigeria
Valentine Afamefuna Ucheagwu,
Rita Nonye Ugokwe-Ossai,
Uche Okpaleke,
Jesse Ugokwe
Issue:
Volume 5, Issue 6, November 2017
Pages:
70-77
Received:
28 September 2017
Accepted:
23 October 2017
Published:
29 November 2017
Abstract: Objectives: The current study examines the inter-trial reliability as well as cardio and demographic markers of Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) performances in Nigeria young adult sample. Methods: Young adults between the ages of 22 – 40, were enrolled for the study. They included healthy controls (HC, n = 102) and psychiatric group (PG, n = 25) who completed the serial test protocols of RAVLT as well few indices of cardio status: Blood pressure (systolic/diastolic) and pulse rate. Results: Correlation analysis showed significant positive inter-trial correlations among trials 1 – 5 of RAVLT. When the immediate post interference and delayed trials were built into the analysis, positive significant relationships were also found. However no significant relationships were found on time taken to complete each trials of RAVLT except on few trials. Regression analyses showed low predictive strength of systolic and diastolic pressures and pulse rate on total performance score of RAVLT (Trials 1 – 5) as well as the delayed trial score. However the pulse rate showed strong predictor of Recall Word List (RWL) trial of RAVLT. Analysis of covariance showed significant group differences in all trials of RAVLT except the distraction trial. Equally gender differences were found on total trial, distraction trial and delayed trial respectively. Conclusion: The study was the first to examine some psychometric properties of RAVLT in Nigeria sample and highlights good inter-trial reliability and discriminant validity of the test. It further highlights the possible roles of cardio variables on episodic memory in young adults and may have implications for treatment among this group.
Abstract: Objectives: The current study examines the inter-trial reliability as well as cardio and demographic markers of Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) performances in Nigeria young adult sample. Methods: Young adults between the ages of 22 – 40, were enrolled for the study. They included healthy controls (HC, n = 102) and psychiatric group (PG, ...
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Neuropsychological Profile of Adopted Children - A Clinic Based Study
Virudhagirinathan Baboo Sankar,
Amira Parveen Shakir,
Govindaraju Soundararajan
Issue:
Volume 5, Issue 6, November 2017
Pages:
78-82
Received:
12 October 2017
Accepted:
13 November 2017
Published:
14 December 2017
Abstract: The study aims to see the level of neuropsychological functions Intelligence, Memory, Attention & Concentration and other mental abilities and Specific Learning Disability (SLD) in adopted children. A clinic based sample of 22 adopted children, Male 13, Female 9. Besides demographic variables, intelligence, memory, other mental abilities and SLD were assessed by Standardized Psychological Tests and HELP CHILD Learning Disability Assessment Tool. Neuropsychological profile showed more percentage of adopted children have average IQ and above average PQ. One fifth of children have impairment in memory, attention and concentration. Almost all the adopted children have Specific Learning Disability.
Abstract: The study aims to see the level of neuropsychological functions Intelligence, Memory, Attention & Concentration and other mental abilities and Specific Learning Disability (SLD) in adopted children. A clinic based sample of 22 adopted children, Male 13, Female 9. Besides demographic variables, intelligence, memory, other mental abilities and SLD we...
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Intelligence Quotient of Primary School Pupils with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Uyo, Nigeria
Emmanuel Eyo Ekanem,
Mkpouto Udeme Akpan,
Paulinus Umoren Essien
Issue:
Volume 5, Issue 6, November 2017
Pages:
83-87
Received:
16 November 2017
Accepted:
25 November 2017
Published:
3 January 2018
Abstract: Although autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) have been considered to be associated with intellectual disability, there is no known study on cognitive capacities of primary school aged children with ASD in Nigeria. The objective of this study is to compare the intelligence quotient (IQ) of primary school pupils with autism spectrum disorders with that of their controls in Uyo, Nigeria. Gilliam Autism Rating Scale–second Edition (GARS-2) and Gilliam Asperger Disorder Scale (GADS) were used to identify school children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Their intelligence quotient was assessed using the Draw–A–Person–Test (DAPT). The findings were compared with that of their age, social class and gender matched controls. A total of 29 pupils with autism spectrum disorders were identified out of 2,641 studied. Twenty-six out of the 29 children with ASD were suitable for intelligence quotient estimation using DAPT; two of the pupils were less than 4 years of age and one had features suggestive of Down syndrome. Eleven out of 26 pupils (42%) assessed for intelligence quotient had intellectual disability (IQ<75%) while fifteen (58%) had normal intelligence (IQ>75%). The overall mean IQ score of the pupils with ASD of 82.5±22.5 was significantly lower than that of the controls of 108.9±14.8 (p<0.01). Pupils with Asperger’s disorder had the highest mean IQ while those with autistic disorder had the least mean IQ with a statistically significant difference (p<0.01). ASD are associated with low IQ among school children in Uyo, Nigeria.
Abstract: Although autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) have been considered to be associated with intellectual disability, there is no known study on cognitive capacities of primary school aged children with ASD in Nigeria. The objective of this study is to compare the intelligence quotient (IQ) of primary school pupils with autism spectrum disorders with that o...
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