Arm trajectories and writing strategy in healthy children.
BMC Pediatr
; 12: 173, 2012 Nov 07.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-23134839
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Evaluation of elementary writing skills in children is usually obtained with high resolution (and high cost) techniques or with low resolution pen-and-paper tests. In this observational study we tested a quantitative method to obtain normative data to describe arm movement during a writing precursor gesture.METHODS:
We recruited 226 healthy children (mean age 9,1 years [range 6.3 - 11.4 years]), attending primary schools belonging to the "Istituto Comprensivo" of Rivanazzano Terme (Pavia). We asked to drive a cursor through a polygonal path (labyrinth) projected in front of them using a wireless mouse. Dartfish™ video analysis software was used to elaborate images and Excel™, MedCalc™ and Statistica 7™ to analyze values of shoulder, elbow and wrist ranges of motion, arm trajectories, execution times and gesture accuracy.RESULTS:
Differences seen in motor strategies, when divided according to attended class, suggest a proximal-distal maturation of motor control. Obtained values were not significantly correlated with variables such as gender, ethnicity or cognitive functioning.CONCLUSIONS:
This type of approach to a study of arm movement during childhood represents a valid alternative to other tests, considering that it can differentiate children who perform similarly in the VMI test and is non-invasive, low-cost and easily reproducible.
Texto completo:
1
Bases de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Brazo
/
Desempeño Psicomotor
/
Escritura
/
Movimiento
Tipo de estudio:
Observational_studies
Límite:
Child
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Idioma:
En
Revista:
BMC Pediatr
Asunto de la revista:
PEDIATRIA
Año:
2012
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Italia