There is a positive relationship between mood states and mental health. The aim of the present study was to investigate the construct validity and internal consistency of the Brunel Mood Scale (BRUMS) for use with different populations, which are physically active and apparently healthy. Measures were obtained from 1295 male (N = 709, 34 ± 20 years, mean ± SD) and female (N = 576, 43 ± 24 years, mean ± SD) volunteers. Factor analysis was used, verifying that six factors (components) accounted for 62.65% of the total variance of the scale. The Varimax method with Kaiser Normalization for the rotation of the factors for the main components, and it was observed that the 24 scale items loaded on six mood factors (anger, depression, tension, vigor, fatigue, and confusion). Internal consistency was good for all the factors identified. We suggest that the results provide some support for validity of the BRUMS for use with different populations, which are physically active and apparently healthy. KeywordsMental Health, Mood States, Psychometrics, Brunel Mood Scale, BRUMS R. Brandt et al. 126

BackgroundEven though Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal cause of intellectual disability, studies on early development are scarce.AimTo describe movements and postures in 3- to 5-month-old infants with Down syndrome and assess the relation between pre- and perinatal risk factors and the eventual motor performance.Methods and proceduresExploratory study; 47 infants with Down syndrome (26 males, 27 infants born preterm, 22 infants with congenital heart disease) were videoed at 10–19 weeks post-term (median = 14 weeks). We assessed their Motor Optimality Score (MOS) based on postures and movements (including fidgety movements) and compared it to that of 47 infants later diagnosed with cerebral palsy and 47 infants with a normal neurological outcome, matched for gestational and recording ages.Outcomes and resultsThe MOS (median = 13, range 10–28) was significantly lower than in infants with a normal neurological outcome (median = 26), but higher than in infants later diagnosed with cerebral palsy (median = 6). Fourteen infants with Down syndrome showed normal fidgety movements, 13 no fidgety movements, and 20 exaggerated, too fast or too slow fidgety movements. A lack of movements to the midline and several atypical postures were observed. Neither preterm birth nor congenital heart disease was related to aberrant fidgety movements or reduced MOS.Conclusions and implicationsThe heterogeneity in fidgety movements and MOS add to an understanding of the large variability of the early phenotype of Down syndrome. Studies on the predictive values of the early spontaneous motor repertoire, especially for the cognitive outcome, are warranted.What this paper addsThe significance of this exploratory study lies in its minute description of the motor repertoire of infants with Down syndrome aged 3–5 months. Thirty percent of infants with Down syndrome showed age-specific normal fidgety movements. The rate of abnormal fidgety movements (large amplitude, high/slow speed) or a lack of fidgety movements was exceedingly high. The motor optimality score of infants with Down syndrome was lower than in infants with normal neurological outcome but higher than in infants who were later diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Neither preterm birth nor congenital heart disease were related to the motor performance at 3–5 months.

Abnormal general movements are among the most reliable markers for cerebral palsy. General movements are part of the spontaneous motor repertoire and are present from early fetal life until the end of the first half year after term. In addition to its high sensitivity (98%) and specificity (91%), the assessment of general movements is non-invasive and time- and cost-efficient. It is therefore ideal for assessing the integrity of the young nervous system, most notably in lowresource settings. Studies on the general movements assessment in low- and middle-income countries such as China, India, Iran, or South Africa are still rare but increasing. In Brazil, too, researchers have demonstrated that the evaluation of general movements adds to the functional assessment of the young nervous system. Applying general movements assessment in vulnerable populations in Brazil is therefore highly recommended.

BackgroundTo assess the motor development of infants exposed to maternal human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).MethodsThirty infants were assessed in the period from November 2009 to March 2010 at the AIDS Reference and Training Centre, in São Paulo, Brazil. The assessment instrument used in the research was the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS). All 30 infants used the antiretroviral drug properly for 42 consecutive days, in accordance with the protocol of the World Health Organization.ResultsOut of the total number of infants, 27 (90%) had proper motor performance and 3 (10%) presented motor delay, according to the AIMS.DiscussionThis study demonstrated that only 10% of the assessed group had developmental delay and no relation with environmental variables was detected, such as maternal level of education, social and economic issues, maternal practices, attendance at the day care center, and drug use during pregnancy. It is important to emphasize the necessity of studies with a larger number of participants.