Early Neuro-Psychomotor Therapy Intervention for Theory of Mind and Emotion Recognition in Neurodevelopmental Disorders

A Pilot Study

Bibliographic Data

ID15719976
AuthorsElisa Giangiacomo (0000-0001-5595-3376, Sapienza University of Rome, corresponding author), Maria Castellano Visaggi (Sapienza University of Rome), Franca Aceti (0000-0002-8245-8466, Sapienza University of Rome), Nicoletta Giacchetti (0000-0003-1997-3913, Sapienza University of Rome), Melania Martucci (Sapienza University of Rome), Federica Giovannone (0000-0003-3884-3567, Sapienza University of Rome), Donatella Valente (0000-0002-4566-1473, Sapienza University of Rome), Giovanni Galeoto (0000-0002-9043-5686, Sapienza University of Rome), Marco Tofani (0000-0003-2071-4513, Sapienza University of Rome), Carla Sogos (0000-0003-0589-7614, Sapienza University of Rome)
Year2022
Volume9
Issue8
Pages1142-1142
Publication date2022-07-29
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueChildren (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2227-9067 • E-ISSN: 2227-9067
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/children9081142
PMID36010032
OpenAlexW4289110650
LanguageEN
References cited48

The aim of the present study is to explore the effect of early neuro-psychomotor therapy to improve theory of mind skills and emotion recognition in children with neurodevelopmental disorders. A pilot study was set up, consisting of in-group training activities based on the neuro-psychomotor approach. Children were evaluated using Neuropsychological Assessment for Child (Nepsy-II), Test of Emotion Comprehension (TEC), and Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ). For data analysis, one-sample Wilcoxon signed rank test was used with a significance of p < 0.05. Two children with a developmental language disorder and four children with autism spectrum disorders participated in a 3-month training program. Our findings revealed significant improvement in emotion recognition, as measured with Nepsy-II (p = 0.04), while no statistical improvement was found for theory of mind. Despite the limited sample, early neuro-psychomotor therapy improves emotion recognition skills in children with neurodevelopmental disorders. However, considering the explorative nature of the study, findings should be interpreted with caution

Autism · Autism spectrum disorder · Cognition · Curriculum · Developmental psychology · Intervention (counseling · Neuropsychology · Psychiatry · Psychomotor learning · Theory of mind · Wilcoxon signed-rank test · Autism Spectrum Disorder Research · Child and Animal Learning Development · Clinical Psychology · Infant Development and Preterm Care · Psychology

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