Visuomotor integration as a key predictor of motor coordination in frail elderly: functional dissociation and psychometric collapse in cognitive impairment
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v79.118613Keywords:
Cognitive impairment, fine motor skills, institutionalization, multicomponent exercise, visuomotor integrationAbstract
Objective: The present study analyzed visuomotor competencies in institutionalized older adults and evaluated the potential impact of an eight-week multicomponent intervention on these skills across different cognitive profiles.
Method: A quasi-experimental single-group design with pre- and post-test measures was employed with an initial sample of 58 participants recruited from residential care facilities. The baseline assessment included 38 individuals with cognitive impairment (CI) and 20 without impairment (NCI), while the post-intervention phase was completed by 26 participants with CI and 16 with NCI due to clinical attrition. The intervention consisted of a combined physical and cognitive stimulation program three times per week. Visuomotor integration, visual perception, and motor coordination were assessed using the Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visuomotor Integration (VMI) and its standardized subtests.
Results: The baseline analysis suggests that visuomotor integration capacity might act as the sole relevant predictor of motor coordination in this population. Post-intervention data suggest no significant gains in motor coordination; specifically, the CI group exhibited a floor effect, while the NCI group showed a slight decline in performance.
Conclusions: These findings suggest that low-frequency training was insufficient to promote the transfer of fine motor skills. The results indicate that preserving dexterity in frail older adults might require more specific interventions with a higher dosage of practice. Furthermore, current standardized tools may lack the psychometric sensitivity required to evaluate advanced cognitive impairment in residential settings.
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