Arm trajectories and writing strategy in healthy children

作者：Chiappedi Matteo^*; Togni Rosella; De Bernardi Elisabetta; Baschenis Ilaria Maria Carlotta; Battezzato Sara; Balottin Umberto; Dalla Toffola Elena; Bejor Maurizio

来源：BMC Pediatrics, 2012, 12: 173.

DOI：10.1186/1471-2431-12-173

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. %26lt;br%26gt;Methods: We recruited 226 healthy children (mean age 9,1 years [range: 6.3 - 11.4 years]), attending primary schools belonging to the %26quot;Istituto Comprensivo%26quot; 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 (TM) video analysis software was used to elaborate images and Excel (TM), MedCalc (TM) and Statistica 7 (TM) to analyze values of shoulder, elbow and wrist ranges of motion, arm trajectories, execution times and gesture accuracy. %26lt;br%26gt;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. %26lt;br%26gt;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.

• 出版日期2012-11-7