A computerized tool to assess reading skills of students with motor impairment.

Conventional tests for assessing the early reading skills of preschool children on school entry are not accessible to students with motor limitations of upper limbs. This paper presents a game-like computerized test featuring an appealing scenario that is accessible to these students. It was developed on a platform that creates 2D vector graphics and contains three phases of interactive content accessible through an adapted peripheral. A conventional card-based test was also used to validate the effectiveness of the computerized test. Both tests were performed by thirty-three preschool children without mobility impairment all aged between four years and six months and six years and two months (x¯ = 5,33; σ = 0,44). The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the nonparametric data from the computerized test with the card-based test in the first and second phase, yielding results of p = 0.11 and p = 0.21, respectively. The Student's t-test was conducted to compare the parametric data of the third phase of the computerized test with the data from the third phase of the card-based test yielded results of p = 0.07.Three gaming experts considered the computerized test to be fun and engaging, and three teachers concluded that the computerized test meets educational goals. Additionally, seven volunteers with moderate mobility impairment (group T), aged between eight and seventeen years old (x¯=11.8; σ = 3.5), accompanied by two physical therapists, took the computerized test using the adapted peripheral device and performed the required tasks without difficulty and without showing signs of fatigue. Based on the results obtained it can be concluded that the computerized test may enable educators to include students with mobility difficulties in literacy assessments and to design teaching strategies that are appropriate given their levels of knowledge.

The late effect of Kinesio Taping® on handgrip strength.

Kinesio Taping® elastic tape is increasingly used in physiotherapy treatment. However, there is a lack of scientific research regarding the late effects of its use. This study quantified the late effects of applying the Kinesio Taping® elastic tape by measuring changes in handgrip muscle strength after 24, 48 and 72 h of application. The Kinesio Taping® elastic tape was applied on the dominant and non-dominant limbs of 36 volunteers randomly assigned to three groups: muscle facilitation, muscle inhibition and control group. The statistical test showed there was a statistically significant difference among all groups of dominant limb and non-dominant limb. However, the analysis on intragroup relationship to periods of application (Initial, 24, 48 and 72 h) and the interaction among repeated measures showed there was no statistically significant difference. This result may contribute to the investigation of the late effects of the Kinesio Taping® elastic tape on the physical rehabilitation.

Peripheral device to quantify grip and pinch capacity of children

Abstract Introduction Grip and pinch movements are important to perform daily activities and to manipulate objects. In this paper we describe the development and evaluation of a peripheral device to quantify cylindrical grip, pulp-to-pulp pinch, pulp-to-side pinch strength and range of motion of children. Methods Three objects were selected: a door handle, a switch, and a key, which were instrumented with force sensing resistors to analyse the strength. Potentiometers were used to verify the range of motion and micro switches to assure the correct position of the fingers during the movement execution. Thirty volunteers (8.77 ± 1.28), both male and female, were selected to test the peripheral device functionality. Results The results determined the minimum necessary strength values for the object activation and maximum displacement, in which the values are 2.5N, 40°; 2.7N, 55°; and 2.8N, 100%, for door handle object, key object, and switch object, respectively. In the functionally tests, volunteers have shown a superior strength for activating each object and 73.33% of them have completed the range movement in the key object, 86.67% in the switch object, and 93.33% in the door handle object. Conclusion The developed peripheral device enabled the measurement of range and static and dynamic strength of grip and pinch movements of children.