Protection of human participants
The study used 16 male adolescents with high functioning autism (HFA) and Asperger Syndrome (AS). The same number of controls was used (Freitag, Kleser, Schneider & von Gontard, 2007). The study authors did not give the benefits and/or risks associated with the study participation. However, it could be concluded that the participants who had a history of cerebral palsy, schizophrenia, epilepsy, and genetic disorders could be exposed to risks that could lead to unhealthy outcomes. For adolescents to participate in the study, they gave informed consent. It seemed that the study participants voluntarily participated in the study since there were no incentives offered. Studies involving human subjects are closely monitored to prevent participants from (Burns & Grove, 2011). A local institutional ethics committee approved the study design after evaluating the anticipated risks/and benefits (Freitag et al., 2007).
Data collection
High functioning autism (HFA) and AS measurements were used as the independent variables. The independent variables were hypothesized to influence the manifestation of motor problems (the dependent variables). Neuromotor development data were collected through the ZNA. The authors indicated that the ZNA was appropriate for collecting the data because it could measure the 11 parameters of movements that were being investigated. The ZNA could also assess timed movements and adaptive movements. The period for the data collection for the study was not given. For each participant, movements were assessed while standing and/or sitting (Freitag et al., 2007). When a participant was ready to be assessed, the following movements were measured following the sequence:
- Repetitive toe-tapping
- Repetitive patting
- Repetitive and sequential finger tapping
- Pegboard
- Static and dynamic balance
- Heel-toe alternation
- Supination of hands
- Diadochokinesis
- Stress gaits
- Static balance
- Dynamic balance
Data management and analysis
The data collected were analyzed with SAS statistical package (SAS, version 8.2, Cary, BC: SAS institute Inc., 1999-2001). The software was also used to ensure that the data analysis was accurate. The authors did not indicate the data management methods used in the study. It has been suggested that studies should maintain some trail of critical decisions made during data analysis. Studies with rigor often result in study findings that could be relied upon by the scientific community. There were no measures used to minimize researcher bias. Researcher bias could have been minimized by independent researchers conducting data analyses then comparing their results (Burns & Grove, 2011).
Findings and their interpretation
There were two interpretations of the study findings (Freitag et al., 2007). Firstly, a high degree of impaired motor outcomes in the control group was correlated with diadochokinesis and balance measurements in the control group. Secondly, social withdrawal was positively correlated with impaired neuromotor performances. The findings and interpretations are a clear reflection of reality. There was confidence in the findings because the results were statistically significant when the P-value was less than 0.05. The limitations identified were the small sample size and failure to differentiate the two measured groups of study participants. The findings were coherently presented according to the sequence of the study aims (Burns & Grove, 2011). The study findings have practical applications for nursing practice because they could be applied to a specific area of nursing concerned with neuromotor problems. The study authors did not give suggestions for further studies. It is recommended that suggestions for studies in the future should be given based on the study findings (Burns & Grove, 2011).
References
Burns, N., & Grove, S. K. (2011). Understanding nursing research: Building an evidence-based practice. (5th ed.). Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier Health Sciences.
Freitag, C. M., Kleser, C., Schneider, M., & von Gontard, A. (2007). Quantitative assessment of neuromotor function in adolescents with high functioning autism and Asperger syndrome. Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 37(5), 948-959.