Arm trajectories and writing strategy in healthy children

BMC Pediatrics

Research Article

Umberto Balottin¹  Rosella Togni²  Elisabetta De Bernardi²  Elena Dalla Toffola³  Sara Battezzato³  Ilaria Maria Carlotta Baschenis³  Matteo Chiappedi³  Maurizio Bejor⁴ 

[1] Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, IRCCS “C. Mondino” Foundation, University of Pavia, Via Mondino 2, 27100, Pavia, Italy;Department of Surgical, Resuscitative, Rehabilitative and Transplant Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Aselli 45, 27100, Pavia, Italy;Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS Foundation, Piazzale Morandi 6, 20121, Milan, Italy;Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS Foundation, Piazzale Morandi 6, 20121, Milan, Italy;Department of Surgical, Resuscitative, Rehabilitative and Transplant Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Aselli 45, 27100, Pavia, Italy;

关键词: Motor Strategy;    Joint Range;    Rehabilitative Treatment;    Shoulder Range;    Wrist Angle;   

DOI  :  10.1186/1471-2431-12-173

 received in 2011-07-23, accepted in 2012-10-24,  发布年份 2012

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundEvaluation 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.MethodsWe 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.ResultsDifferences 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.ConclusionsThis 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.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Chiappedi et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2012